I was raised in a house where Tzedakah and volunteering were a part of life.  Growing up, my mother and father committed time to organizations, both Jewish and secular.  This often included taking a leadership position.  It taught me the importance of helping those in need.  It didn’t matter if they were Jewish or not, or in Cleveland, Israel, Russia or Ethiopia.  

They passed on the concept of Tikkun Olam to me.  It has shaped me by helping me to understand how truly fortunate I am.  

I have the ability to improve the lives of others by my philanthropy and by the giving of my time and knowledge.  I feel blessed to be able to do this.  Helping others truly makes me feel good.

I know that when I support the Federation’s Campaign for Jewish Needs, my dollars are not just supporting institutions–they are also helping thousands of people in Cleveland and around the world.  My commitment to the Federation’s endowment allows me to know now that the important work of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and its agencies will continue as long as it’s needed.

Alan Yanowitz

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I am Jewish, I love being Jewish.  I was raised in a home where being and doing Jewish was something to strive for, be proud of, and find success in.  It was family and friends, shared traditions, tragedies, and triumphs. Living Jewishly was how I was raised and who I became.  

As an adult it was a natural progression to love and live within our tradition. To make a home and raise a family and take my place in my new community of Cleveland was the continuation of my Jewish journey–one I was able to take in many directions.  

When our children attended Gross Schechter Day School, I became deeply involved in the work of the board.  Then I took my skills and passions to our Federation, to participate and collaborate in the many diverse and intricate issues that face our community.  

I am grateful to have had these opportunities. By participating in community and by making a gift in my own name to the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, I honor the Jewish journey I learned with my family in Connecticut and honed with my new family in Cleveland.  

The best way to honor our work and ensure that we will continue to have excellent day schools, serve our needy and take care of the elderly is by creating a Lion of Judah Endowment.  We are taught in the Talmud, from Pirkei Avot,

“...You are not obligated to complete the work,

but neither are you free to abandon it.”

Creating this endowment is a milestone on my Jewish journey.  It will allow me to fulfill my obligation and create a legacy to ensure our community and our people will go from strength to strength.

Dara Yanowitz