40 Under 40: Jacob Sabel

Born out of a passion for community and values, Jacob Sabel was inspired to look deeper into his faith at an early age. In 2001 he participated in the JCC Maccabi Games, which helped him recognize the camaraderie, engagement and values represented in the Jewish community.

Those games were the start of a 20-year journey of exploration. In that time, Sabel has worked to expand the Brookhaven Kollel and take advantage of personal growth through the MJCCA’s Erwin Zaban Leadership Development Program and the Atlanta Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Learning Engagement & Discovery Series.

Today, he continues to support the role JCC Maccabi Games plays as Atlanta’s delegation head.

“The fact that Atlanta has an opportunity to host the games again after 18 years is incredible,” he said. “It has the community rallying around the center and the teams and athletes in an amazing way.”

In 2012, Sabel joined Heaven Hill Brands, based in Bardstown, Ky. Heaven Hill is the largest, independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier in the United States.

He was recently promoted to a sales leadership role, drawn not only to the company’s portfolio, but also the chance to work for the third generation of the Shapira family. The company was founded in 1935 by the sons of Jewish immigrants that settled in Central Kentucky. Heaven Hill remains family-owned and fiercely independent, a rarity in today’s distilled spirits industry.

“We live in a society that tends to be dominated by conglomerates, so the fact that after starting in 1935 the family still maintains this integrity, is very valuable,” Sabel said. “When you work for a family company, you really become a part of the family.”

In 2018, Jacob received a Heaven Hill Corporate Value Award for his “Passionate Commitment to Excellence.”

Currently living in Alpharetta with his wife Jennifer and two boys, Joby and Levi, Sabel embraces the opportunity to give back to his faith through the upcoming Maccabi Games.