Barbara and Scott Klazmer, pictured here with their grandchildren Averi, 5, and Ryan, 3, partner with the Jewish Foundation of Memphis and Memphis Jewish Federation to conduct their philanthropy, giving back to the organizations in Jewish Memphis that have shaped their lives.
“I can remember being on my dad’s shoulders, must have been 6, 8 tops, the day the Memphis Jewish Community Center pool house was dedicated,” said Scott Klazmer, a local contractor and real estate agent, and life-long Memphian. “These days, my main exercise is lap swimming and something happened again today, which happens a lot. I pulled into the MJCC parking lot for my swim and here comes the ECC kids, my grandson among them. He ran over for a hug, which happens frequently with good timing.”
These bookend memories speak to a life lived deeply connected to the Memphis Jewish community and its people and places. From his earliest memories to a foundational tragedy, through marriage to his wife Barbara, child-rearing, a successful career, and decades of impact as a philanthropist with Memphis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, Scott has in turns benefitted from this community and its resources, and done his part to sustain it for generations to come.
Scott’s childhood was like many from his generation, coming of age in the 60s and 70s in Jewish Memphis. During the week Scott was a student at the then Memphis Hebrew Academy (Now Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South), with sports and social events bringing him to the MJCC seemingly nightly. On Saturdays, he would go with his family to Baron Hirsch Congregation for services. Unfortunately, this idyllic but traditional Memphis Jewish childhood all but came apart when Scott’s beloved father, Marty, of blessed memory, succumbed to cancer a scant nine months after diagnosis, when Scott was 11.
“My dad, the poor guy, didn’t live long enough to experience the milestones of life,” said Scott. “He got cancer and passed away at 36, leaving four kids and my mother behind. Luckily, I’m a life-long Memphian and had my whole family here, which was great.”
Scott also had the support of the community, something he remembers today as a philanthropist. When he needed someone to talk to, he found an open ear at Jewish Family Service (now the Wendy & Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service). Through Baron Hirsch, Scott was given spiritual guidance and a network of caring adults who understood his family’s situation and did what they could to help. And at the MJCC, Scott found the freedom and opportunities to shape his identity, and compassionate role models to guide him.
“Even as a little kid, I remember sitting in the synagogue or being in the MJCC and thinking about who the people were and what they did for a career. I’d see plaques on walls recognizing donations and I was always very conscious of that,” he said. “I just knew that as a 13-year-old without a father, I had a lot of good friends in the community. Ed Wiener, Phillip Baum, David Okeon- these men a generation older than me, I understood what they did to give back to the community, and they were mentors to me. I understood that I needed to step up as I grew up, and I grew up fast.”
Scott and Barbara are private about their philanthropy, often giving anonymously to support charitable organizations and causes. They’ve contributed to Federation’s Annual Community Campaign since the 1980s, hold a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Foundation, regularly respond to Foundation’s Needs List to fund resources for community organizations, and recently contributed to Foundation’s Fogelman Jewish Family Service Endowment. They also contribute to causes meaningful to them, like Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab. For the Klazmers, being philanthropic isn’t about other people seeing the Klazmer name on a plaque, but rather their emotional connection to the act of charitable giving.
“Years ago, my wife Barbara and I become Members in Perpetuity of the MJCC. That was a no-brainer – I know I’ll be a member for the rest of my life and I go there five or six times a week,” he said. “Our names are on the wall there on that Star of David in the hallway (leading from the lobby to the gym) and it’s something we’re really proud of.”
The Klazmers’ names occupy the bottom-most tile in the star, forming the point of the lowest tip. Above the mosaic of names, a bold and familiar statement appears, one close to Scott’s heart.
“My father planted for me, so I plant for my children,”’ he said, quoting the proverb. “I never wanted for food and clothes, but I did need community, and they came through for me and then some. That phrase pretty much sums up what I’m trying to do, or even who I’m trying to be, as a philanthropist. And I have always trusted Federation and Foundation to help me on this journey.”