New officers for Jewish Community Partners, Memphis Jewish Federation, and Jewish Foundation of Memphis were elected at JCP’s 3rd Annual Meeting, held earlier this month. Experienced community leader Ken Steinberg was elected to hold the Memphis Jewish Federation’s Chair for a two year term.
What is your current role with JCP, Memphis Jewish Federation or Jewish Foundation of Memphis?
Chair of Memphis Jewish Federation.
Describe the most impactful Jewish moment for you as a child.
My first trip to Israel in 1976. I think until then I was just going through the motions of being Jewish.
What are your earliest memories of Tzedakah?
Probably my Bar Mitzvah, when you receive so many gifts and you decide where to give some of your money.
Who has been the most influential person to you?
Definitely my parents! Although not as active in leadership roles, they always made sure that we were involved in Jewish organizations. Later in life, I began to understand how much my parents and their closest friends were involved in all aspects of leadership in Jewish Memphis, and they have certainly inspired me.
Why did you decide to take such an active part in the Jewish community?
Once I became involved in leadership at the JCC and saw how much our work meant to the entire membership and to the community, being active became more and more inspiring. I’ve always been active with Federation through fundraising efforts and the same contagious feeling of doing good for Jewish Memphis keeps me engaged.
How has your role in leadership created value in your life?
It is personally inspiring to assist in the many successes in both the Jewish community and overall Memphis community. Memphis is going through a real renaissance, and I am very proud to have been involved with the Levitt Shell in Midtown, which offers free concerts in the summer and fall. The Levitt Shell has been a catalyst in helping revive the city of Memphis. My involvement in the MJCC, the Foundation, and the Shell have all given me satisfaction of leveraging my abilities to help the most people possible.
What does the word ‘community’ mean to you?
Everything when it comes to being involved in leadership. I doubt I would be involved at all in leadership if I didn’t believe that the work I do can affect the community as a whole. There are too many “fences,” not only in Memphis but everywhere. People can be too focused on their own projects and not the community as a whole. I try to tear down those fences and get everyone to work together.
Who do you admire most in the Jewish community and why?
Jerome Makowsky, who has been a leader at the JCC, the North American JCCA, the World Confederation of JCC’s, and the Memphis Federation and Foundation. Jerome is one of the many people I was referring to earlier who was close with my parents when I was growing up. I got to witness first hand the efforts of a strong leader. Jerome has been a true inspiration to me.
What do you consider the most important issue the Jewish community faces today?
Division of the different streams. I find it very unfortunate that so few dollars are available for so many different important and significant efforts by the community. We need to be smarter about our budgets, our requests for funds, and the many duplicate programs that split up available dollars disproportionately. We must take a deep long look at the real needs in the community and make some very hard decisions.
What would you like to see change in the current Jewish community atmosphere?
There are so many great efforts being made to improve and sustain Jewish life in Memphis. I would like to see the many different efforts work together, not on each specific project but on the big picture. It will take a concerted effort in order for us all to have real success.