‘Grow a Legacy’ Plants for the Future

“As my fathers planted for me, so do I plant for my children,” was the theme for the Atlanta Jewish Foundation’s Grow a Legacy event held on Feb. 29 at the newly renovated Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

Co-chair Evan Toporek told the AJT during the preprogram reception, “The folks here tonight have made pledges and believe in giving; and Atlanta especially has done a great job of creating a Jewish future.”

Evan Toporek posed with Lindsay Kopecky and Lisa Toporek during the reception.

Cathy Selig said, “I recently set up a Donor Advisory Fund for my four young adult grandchildren who are now learning the importance of giving back.”

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Senior Ahavath Achim Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal kicked off the program reflecting on his recent trip to Israel which ranged from nightmarish scenes to hope and pride. Most perceptively, he spoke of the relationship Israelis have with the Jews of North America by saying, “The support we have sent over is unbelievable. And they are worried about us here. What they hear about antisemitism on campus … we are showing them how connected we are and encircling them with feelings of confidence.”

Toporek, along with wife, Lisa, and co-chairs, Caren and Michael Merlin, detailed why givers are being honored as the protectors of the present and future in making helping others a priority. He stated, “In conjunction with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Atlanta has 600 local donors with $43.5 million pledged in letter of intent.”

Comedienne Amanda Marks kept things moving smoothly with laughs in between.

Representatives Kathy Sarlson and Tamra Dolin from the Grinspoon Foundation built on the wonderful PJ Library, rolled out many years ago, and proceeded to share life events “that they actually stood up for.” Getting arrested for protesting for the release of the Jews in the Soviet Union was an example. “Grinspoon has connections to 900 Jewish organizations with 40,000 commitments with a future value of $1.6 billion.”

Local stand-up comedienne Amanda Marks served as the transition emcee and cracked her inimitable jokes along the way. “Have you ever seen a Jewish woman as tall as me? How about a Jewish man?”

Next up was attorney Ted Blum who spoke of this recent book, “Calculated Risks,” about traveling through his family’s circuitous path to America, recounting, “Always remember the power of storytelling. Our roots keep us real.”

Cathy Selig, Gregg and Beth Paradies believe in legacy giving.

Local author, restaurateur, and actress Jenny Levison, owner of Souper Jenny, spoke of her Zaidie Project, established in 1999, and named for her father, Jarvin, who passed way just 13 weeks ago.

Levison said, of her father, “He hosted ‘Ask Zadie’ dinners alone with his grandchildren with no subject off topic. Even at 95, he cooked the food himself with 10 different dishes … most importantly granting them each $5,000 to research and discuss their own causes.”

She acknowledged her son, Jonah, in the audience, now 20 years old and who began these dinners at age 5; and closed, “Dad, we will not let you down.”  A Kosher Touch served his recipe — and Souper Jenny’s most popular soup — turkey chili at that night’s buffet.

Last in the trilogy of speakers, Mike Leven, the founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and inspired by the spirit of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates as pledged givers, spoke of the importance of giving to protect future generations. With his Bostonian inflection, Leven shared from his childhood walking to the Orthodox shul with his grandfather and how on Nov. 29, 1947, they made an exception to Sabbath observance by celebrating on the radio the establishment of the State of Israel. He also explained the moral, if not legal, pledge of 50 percent of assets to the future, so that children know this promise.

Souper Jenny Levison shared her recently deceased father’s unwavering example for giving,

Leven set up emails to 20,000 Jewish youths to make their own pledge and review it every five years. He held up an old-fashioned Blue Box to show the discipline he learned early on about giving. He closed by referring to 15th century Rabbi Arami who likened the connection between G-d and the Jewish people to silver threads.

He stated, “Why silver? If neglected, it tarnishes. We must stay active and proud as Jewish Americans — not American Jews!”

Atlanta Jewish Foundation Vice President Lindsay Kopecky presented the organization award to The Torah Day School for its $1 million in pledges.