Marsha Lev's Story

"Upon reaching a recent milestone birthday, I began to think about how I wanted to create a lasting commitment to the organizations important to my family. Shearith Israel was at the top of that list. In the same way my parents did for their congregation in Waco, I wanted to help ensure the continuation of my congregation by establishing an endowment fund within the Shearith Israel Foundation.

​Mike, z”l and I were married in 1979 and about to become parents in 1981. Mike was working for Mike Jacobs at the time and Mike and Ginger suggested we join Shearith Israel. It was an easy decision as my father’s cousin Manny Hoppenstein  and sister Naomi Dunn and their families were already members. We immediately joined the young couples club and met many congregants who have become life-long friends to this day. I joined Sisterhood where I was mentored and learned leadership skills. Those skills were invaluable, and I became Sisterhood president in 1995.

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I was privileged to be a member of the Shearith Israel Board of Directors, off and on for over 25 years, chaired a number of committees, and got the opportunity to become more involved. I have seen Shearith Israel endure highs and lows while maintaining a strong reputation as an esteemed Conservative congregation with a prominent position in the Jewish and non-Jewish Community.

Shearith Israel has been my spiritual home and a place to celebrate joyous occasions as well as being embraced by a loving community during some deeply traumatic times. In light of what is happening in the world, it is my hope that by establishing the Lev Family Endowment
Fund of the Shearith Israel Foundation for the general support of the Synagogue, my family and I will continue to support Conservative Judaism through Shearith Israel, and that our congregation will continue to be financially strong and viable for the generations of families that will follow."

​-Marsha Lev