Throughout my childhood, it was abundantly clear to me that my parents were committed to Israel and the Jewish community.  Now, when I look through the scrapbooks my mother filled with newspaper clippings chronicling my parent’s individual leadership efforts, I am struck by how many of the same roles I have been privileged to play.  Whether consciously or not, we do follow in our parent’s footsteps.

When Gordon and I were first married, my father had a talk with us about the importance of the Jewish Welfare Fund Appeal and the protection of Israel.  We knew what he expected from us yet, as a young mother, I resisted getting involved.  I remembered how much I resented the many meetings my parents attended when I was growing up.  Then a friend asked me to join her at a meeting, and I was so impressed by the organization and its leadership, I responded instinctively, eventually becoming its president.  My father must have been proud and pleased when I stood before the Welfare Fund Planning Committee, of which he was a member, to plead my case for a fund-raising project for that same organization.

My parents were among the earliest endowers of the Jewish Community Federation.  I feel connected to them and the values they espoused through my Lion of Judah Endowment and my continuing community involvement.  It gives me great comfort and satisfaction to know that I have perpetuated the legacy of leadership and philanthropy so ably begun by my parents, Jean and Harold Kahn, of blessed memory.