2007 Endowment Achievement Awards

UJC is proud to honor the recipients of the Endowment Achievement Award. The awards are presented every year to volunteer leaders and given to those who, through their guidance, vision and dedication, have been instrumental in the growth of their communities' endowment funds.

Wendy Block of Wilmington, N.C is the National Network chair of United Jewish Communities, for which she travels the country providing leadership and vision to a network of 400 non-federated, independent Jewish communities. These communities raise an estimated $12 million for the UJA Network Annual Campaign, including $8 million for overseas needs. Ms. Block has served UJC in many other capacities including as a member of the National Women’s Philanthropy Board, campaign vice chair for National Women’s Philanthropy and chair of the National Network Women’s Campaign. UJC Network of Independent Communities

Gary Elkins has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative. This initiative benefits the 15 federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah will be imparted to Jewish children for generations to come. Chicago

Rabbi Morris I. Esformes has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative, benefiting the 15 Federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah will be imparted to Jewish children for generations to come. Chicago

Greg Fox has been a trustee of the Tampa Orlando Pinellas (TOP) Jewish Foundation since 1999 and is now serving his second term as the organization’s president.  He has worked tirelessly on behalf of the foundation, providing both leadership and legal expertise as well as growing the foundation’s assets to over $36 million, an increase of more than 21 percent over the previous year.  In addition to serving TOP, Mr. Fox is a practicing estate and tax attorney with the firm Fox and Fox, PA, and has also served as president of his synagogue, Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater, Fla. Tampa

Dr. Donald Freedman is one of the most widely known, respected and beloved members of both the Jewish and broader community of Harrisburg, Pa. A leader in Jewish philanthropy, he served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and has been deeply involved in community endowment development, serving on the board and in many leadership positions of the Jewish Community Foundation. He currently chairs the foundation’s Allocations and Distributions committee and continues to be a guiding hand in the formation of foundation policy. Dr. Freedman has served in high leadership positions in community organizations, including medical organizations, educational institutions, Jewish community agencies, local civic organizations and his synagogue. Central Pennsylvania Jewish community

David and Nancy Friedland have been leaders of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation both through their generosity and years of service.  Mr. Friedland has served on the foundation board for 24 years, since its inception, and was president from 1988 to 1990. For the last 15 years, he’s been a key member of the foundation Investment committee. Marty Ricks, the foundation’s executive director, cites Mr. Friedland as one of his strongest mentors. In the past five years, the Friedlands have set up two significant unrestricted endowment funds for the benefit of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.  They have also made significant gifts through their private foundation. Their major lead gift toward the recent expansion of Omaha’s Rose Blumkin Jewish Home helped stimulate giving from the entire community, resulting in the contribution of $16.5 million of the $18.5 million goal.  Omaha

Neil B. Goldstein started his Wall Street career in 1973 and by 1980 he was a founding partner in a startup hedge fund.  He later joined American Securities, a private investment bank, and in 1984 held various positions at the firm, including President.  His first proprietary fund, Pine Street Partners, LP was established in 1986 preceding the commencement of his own management company, Darmel Management.  Under the Darmel banner, he started several onshore and offshore funds specializing in a variety of event driven strategies. 
 
Mr. Goldstein has worked tirelessly in the Jewish community bringing his strong leadership and analytical skill to whatever he does.  Among his responsibilities for United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, Mr. Goldstein has been a Trustee and an Executive Committee member of both the Jewish Community Foundation and UJC of MetroWest.  He has recently finished his term as President of the Jewish Community Foundation, and he has chaired the Investment Committee for 15 years.  He is also active in the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union, having served both as President of the School and currently President of its Foundation.  He and his wife, Joyce, are founding donors to the MetroWest Herskowitz Society, recognizing donors making major commitments to the future of MetroWest Day Schools.  He has also served in a variety of other capacities for different organizations in the Jewish community.  Mr. Goldstein received a B.S. from Case Western Reserve University and a M.S. in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MetroWest


Eugene and Reva Heller are highly respected philanthropists who have been committed to the Jewish community for many years.  The Hellers were instrumental in the growth of the Jewish Foundation of Nashville through their creation of a philanthropic fund and charitable remainder trust to support local Jewish organizations.  Their legacy to the Jewish community has been recognized by an inscription naming them charter members of the Jewish Foundation’s Book of Life.  Mr. Heller has served as board member of the foundation, president of both the Akiva School and Congregation Sherith Israel, and as chair of the Men’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Nashville’s Annual Campaign.  Reva Heller likewise has served as an active volunteer, serving on the boards of the Jewish Foundation of Nashville and the Akiva School, where the Hellers are currently directors emeriti. Nashville

Andrew S. Hochberg has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative, benefiting the 15 federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah are imparted to Jewish children for generations to come. Chicago

Alex Holstein has been the founding chair of the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York (Syracuse) since its inception. He was the driving force behind launching the foundation and has chaired the board for more than six years.  Now, as he hands over leadership to the next chair, he leaves behind an exceptional legacy: assets of almost $5 million and donations from 135 community families. The establishment of the foundation has inspired endowed giving to the federation, synagogues, and all the Jewish agencies in the local community. In addition to his work with the foundation, Mr. Holstein is a past chair of the federation campaign and has been a leader in both his synagogue and in many general community organizations. Central New York (Syracuse)

Barbara Gefen Jaffe has served as a founding board member of the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation since its inception in July 1996.  She has successfully chaired the foundation’s Investment Oversight committee for her entire tenure on the board.  Through her involvement with this committee, Mrs. Jaffe has met with the finance and investment committees of several partner organizations, helping them develop investment strategies for their endowments that are managed by the Jacksonville foundation.  This work has contributed to the development of the endowment funds of many Jewish agencies and synagogues. Mrs. Jaffe and her husband Larry were among the first to inscribe the Jacksonville Jewish Foundation Book of Life.  She is a past president and lifetime member of Hadassah, one of the founding board members of the Jewish Community Alliance (the local JCC), a past member of ORT, a Lion of Judah, and an active member and respected leader of many community non-profit boards.  Jacksonville

Currently an Officer of the Federation, Tom Kaplan has been the Chair of the Jewish Community Foundation since 2005, however, his involvement with our organization spans over 20 years.  Since becoming Chair of the Foundation, total assets under management and deferred commitments have grown 13% to $195 million.  Tom has been instrumental in integrating the Foundation into our overall financial resource development efforts through our Center of Jewish Philanthropy.  Under his leadership, the Foundation successfully transferred a large percentage of our investment portfolio to the Chicago pooled investment fund.  Tom has assisted in bringing the message of endowments and planned giving to our Women’s Division and country club communities.  Through his personal contacts he has been influential in engaging young, dynamic professional lay leaders to become involved in the Foundation.

Tom serves on the Professional Advisory board of both the Boca Raton Community Hospital and the ADL.  Professionally he serves as President of Kaplan, Krauss & Levine, LLC.  Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County

Nancy G. Katz is a philanthropic leader who truly leads. As vice president for Women’s Philanthropy from 2005 through 2007, she created the “whisper in their ear” marketing approach that set records in Palm Beach for encouraging women in a subtle and dignified way to create Lion of Judah endowments. Under her guidance the federation created its first ever joint Lion/LOJE recognition event called “The Pride of Our Lions.” In addition to her LOJE leadership, Ms. Katz served on the federation board and was a member of the foundation committee. When the history of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach is written, her name will be prominent as a true leader of women’s philanthropy and endowment development. Palm Beach

Jim Koshland chairs the Grant Allocations committee of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. Under his leadership, allocations in the last fiscal year totaled over $2.6 billion.  In 2005, Mr. Koshland served as vice chair of the Annual Campaign, and he chaired the campaign in 2006 and 2007. Currently, he is chair of the Taube-Koret Campus for Jewish Life project, the largest capital project the local Jewish community has undertaken. Through his work with the endowment fund and the annual campaign, Jim Koshland follows in the philanthropic tradition of his grandfather, Daniel Koshland, Sr., who was a major leader in the San Francisco Jewish community and actively involved in the management of Levi Strauss & Co.  San Francisco

Claire Levin has long been a major player in helping the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation to perform its life-saving, life enhancing work. She has recently agreed to head the federation’s $20 million endowment campaign. Ms. Levin brings a unique and valuable historical perspective to the federation and a deep commitment to its work. She has helped raise targeted money from the federation’s Lion of Judah donors to support abused children in Israel, and was instrumental in implementing the Doris Loevner Memorial Fund, which honors young Jewish leaders. She was honored at the federation’s inaugural Triple Crown Gala in 2005 and was given the “Woman of Valor” award at the 2007 annual meeting. In recognition of her work in building the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish community, she was named a lifetime federation board member. Sarasota

Lee and Sandy Levine personify leadership and philanthropy in their dedication to the secure future of local institutions and Israel. In an effort to jump-start expansion of the foundation of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, the Levines offered a challenge grant:  they would match, dollar-for-dollar, increased deposits to existing foundation funds, or match initial deposits to new funds. In amounts ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, their challenge resources have resulted in $500,000 of new growth within our donor-advised and philanthropic funds. Atlantic and Cape May Counties

Moses Libitzky has been instrumental in the growth of the Jewish Community Foundation of Northern California’s Greater East Bay. As a longtime board member and current president, Mr. Libitzky has been a major force in raising the foundation’s assets, from $60 million in 2005 to more than $105 million today.  He is actively engaged in all aspects of the foundation: no task is too small and no vision or strategy too large for him to pursue.  With his family’s supporting foundation, Mr. Libitzky leads by example, setting new standards of philanthropy in the community. He has served as an officer and board member of the East Bay Federation and of AIPAC, and has been involved with the Magnes Museum and JCC of the East Bay. He is currently helping the newest Jewish day school in the region raise capital funds. East Bay

John Lowenstein has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative, which benefits the 15 federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah are imparted to Jewish children for generations to come.  Chicago

Allan Markey’s dedication to the well-being of the Akron Jewish community dates back a quarter century.  Recently retired, he spent a career as one of the Akron area’s most respected certified public accountants.  The charitable planning advice he provided to his clients resulted in a number of gifts that have helped ensure the future of the Akron Jewish community. In his career as a volunteer, Mr. Markey served as president of the Akron Jewish Community Federation (now the JCBA), the Kent State Hillel Foundation, and the tri-state Hillel Consortium.  He helped bring the JCBA’s formal endowment program into existence almost 20 years ago, and today, is the longtime chair of the endowment committee. Helping the community acquire its own senior citizens building, and helping in the community’s effort to update and modernize the JCC, rank among his proudest accomplishments. Akron

Robert Raich is one of Montreal’s top tax attorneys. A board member of the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal for more than 20 years, he was instrumental in developing its professional advisory committee (PAC). He chaired the committee for many years, overseeing the development of the annual PAC seminar and developing a planned giving seminar delivered at individual professional offices. As vice president and president (2003-2005), his work was key to the foundation’s growth, and he remains a foundation officer, currently as past president. In addition, Mr. Raich personally aided many families in setting up funds with the foundation.  Montreal

Elliott Robinson has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative, benefiting the 15 federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah are imparted to Jewish children for generations to come. Chicago

Eric A. Rothner has been instrumental in the advancement and growth of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund initiative, benefiting the 15 federation supported day schools above and beyond the federation’s annual allocation. His exemplary leadership in advancing Jewish day school education and community continuity assures that the wisdom and beauty of Torah are imparted to Jewish children for generations to come. Chicago

Michael Saxon, chair of Legacy & Endowment of the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, has catalyzed the planned giving program, leading to unprecedented growth of more than $175 million in the last two years.  His inspired leadership has greatly enhanced the visibility of the endowment program throughout the community.  Leading by example, Mr. Saxon is vice president of his extended family’s multigenerational supporting foundation and, with his wife, has established a philanthropic fund for his own family.  He previously chaired the federation’s Center for Funds and Foundations, and he continues to serve on numerous committees. He is also chairing the Community Study for 2010. Baltimore

Vivian Skadron has been instrumental in the growth of the Jewish Community Endowment Foundation (JCEF) of New Mexico. As chair of the JCEF from 2005 to 2008, she helped initiate the group’s custodial arrangement with the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, to implement the Book of Life program, and to establish JCEF donor advised endowment funds. As a member of the board of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico, Vivian served as past chair of the Allocations & Budget committee. Her service extends as well to Hadassah, the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque and other organizations.  New Mexico

Tom Sloan is a venture investor in numerous start-up businesses, with a concentration in health care. He serves on the boards of the Bank of North Carolina, Precision Fabrics Group, Bioptigen, Inc. and Mediwave Star Technologies, Inc. He served as board chair for MercuryMD, Inc., a company providing software to assist hospitals in integrating and delivering real time clinical data to physicians, until its recent sale to Thomson Corporation. Mr. Sloan spent 30 years in ophthalmic lens manufacturing and distribution as president and chair of Southern Optical Company prior to its sale to Essilor International (Paris, France) in 1996. Following that transaction, he served as chair of Essilor Laboratories of America for four years. He serves on the board of several non-profit institutions including the University of Rochester, the Jewish Federation of Greensboro, the Jewish Foundation of Greensboro, and Triad Stage. Greensboro

Reid Wasserstrom is the managing member of the Wasserstrom Realty Company and a trustee of the Wasserstrom Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in Central Ohio. An active leader in the Columbus Jewish community for over 25 years, Mr. Wasserstrom has served the Columbus Jewish Foundation in many capacities, sitting on the executive committee, the board of trustees, the Community Grants committee and the Finance committee. He recently chaired the Investment committee, where his work was crucial in placing the foundation’s investments on a more secure footing. He holds a substantial donor advised fund at the foundation, and, with his wife Fran, has gifted a life insurance policy through which they endow their favorite charities. Mr. Wasserstrom is also president of Congregation Tifereth Israel’s foundation, which has doubled its holdings to $5 million, making it the largest synagogue foundation in central Ohio. Columbus

Elizabeth Wolfe served as chair of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto from 2005 to 2007. Under her exceptional leadership, the foundation’s assets and expectancies have grown from $200 million to $375 million, including a record $50 million endowment gift, one of the largest in Canadian history. Her volunteer experience began with her participation in UJA Federation's Leadership Development Program in the early 1980's. She has been involved as an active volunteer and member of the federation board and executive as well as many departments of UJA Federation including Strategic Planning and Allocations. She was the founding chair of the Business and Professional Women's Network. Elizabeth has been instrumental in developing the new Latner Centre for Jewish Knowledge and Heritage and the Mercaz, the Centre for the Enhancement of Jewish Education. She is involved in many aspects of the community through numerous other organizations. Toronto