Live in: Los Angeles
Occupation: Abigail is a professional librarian and former director of the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles. Joe is a writer and attorney at Irell & Manella. They recently co-authored a children's picture book, Max Said Yes! The Woodstock Story. It was Abigail's cousin, dairy farmer Max Yasgur of Bethel, NY, who offered his farm for a music festival in August 1969. This became Woodstock.
Family details: Abigail is from Bradford, Pennsylvania and Joe is from Spring Valley, New York. They met at Harvard, where Joe was attending law school and Abigail was a research librarian. They moved to Los Angeles in 1991, and have three children: Emma,16, Max, 14, and Rose, 10.
When we joined The Foundation family: Opened a Donor Advised Fund in 2008 to primarily support Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles.
Community involvement: Abigail serves on the board of directors of B'nai David Judea and Shalhevet High School. Joe and Abigail regularly deliver meals for Tomchei Shabbos, a food bank delivering kosher meals to needy Jews for Shabbat and the holidays.
Focus of our philanthropy: Abigail and Joey support B'nai David Judea, Shalhevet High School, Tomchei Shabbos and American World Service. "We felt very strongly about supporting Shalhevet High School because our daughter goes there, and because we believe it is a visionary school that serves an important purpose for the L.A. Jewish community. Shalhevet is in the process of recreating itself with a new administration and new programs that will strengthen its ability to service its educational mission."
Why we joined The Foundation family: "We are personally acquainted with members of The Foundation leadership. They share our conviction that charitable giving is fundamental to Jewish life. Additionally, the fund enables us to give a significant gift in one tax year, while setting up our donations in a way that will support Shalhevet's multi-year programs over time, as well as our other charitable interests."
Instilling philanthropic values in others: Be involved in something about which you care deeply. Contribute passion, action, and money if you're able. The kids are watching.
The Development Perspective
Abby has been a well-known face to the Jewish community, having directed the Jewish Community Library for 12 years. Together, this young, vibrant couple has been committed to community and actively involved in charitable and community work for some time, both professionally and personally. They felt the time was right to make a significant donation. They believe in the work of the Shalhevet School-as well as other worthy causes-and were interested in supporting particular multi-year programs. The Donor Advised Fund that Abby and Joe set up at The Foundation enabled them to set up a donation in one tax year, and at the same time, support the Shalhevet School's new vision for a number of years to come.
Baruch Littman, Vice President, Development