Sincerely,
Cathi Luski & Joel Beckman
Friends of JCC Budapest Co-Chairs
Hungarian Jews are heirs to a rich history. Although for many years, war and repression forced them to suppress their Jewish heritage, over time, Hungarian Jews have been honoring their Jewish heritage again. The children of Holocaust survivors are introducing Jewish culture into their homes. Parents are sending their children to Jewish day schools. And JCC Budapest-Balint Haz is leading a Jewish revival in the heart of Europe.
With antisemitism on the rise around the world, overt celebrations of Jewish tradition are no small feat- they are acts of courage and pride. JCC Budapest has become the central place where Hungarian Jews can discover their personal Jewish path. Our welcoming, pluralistic and highly spirited environment provides an entry point to Jewish education, history and culture.
Nevertheless, we need your help. Along with Marcell Kenesei, the JCC’s Director, and his staff, the Friends of JCC Budapest is working to procure financial support for the JCC’s current programs and for new initiatives. By “investing” in JCC Budapest, you are validating the belief that there is a future for Jewish life in Europe.
Partnering with us will affirm your support of the Hungarian Jewish community. Your contribution will send a powerful message that despite rising antisemitism, the next chapter of Jewish history is currently being written.
Sincerely,
Cathi Luski & Joel Beckman
Friends of JCC Budapest Co-Chairs
The JCC Friends’ mission is to advocate for and provide financial support and encouragement to the Jewish community in Budapest.
The JCC Friends’ vision is to help further the expansion of and ensure the continued success of the JCC Budapest.
JCC Budapest is primarily funded by individuals and foundations who continue to support our vision to strengthen the Hungarian Jewish community. We thank them for their many contributions and for helping us, and the entirety of the Hungarian Jewish community, grow.
Jonathan Allen, Benjamin Alpert, Daniel Alpert, Jody Alpert, Wanda Grasu in honor of Dan Alpert, David Altschul, Bruce Freyer in honor of Joel and Sheri Beckman, Susan Hock in honor of Joel Beckman, Sheri Bell, Michelle Berman, Hadar Boker, Holly Boker, Daniel Burkeman, Julian Bussgang, Carol Caplan, Gerald Creem, Janet Dashevsky, Yaron Deckel, David Dulberg, Gideon Epstein, Mindy and Andrew Feldman, Lois Fioretti, Linda Foley, Daniel Zaas in honor of Erika Gold, Gerald Goldman, Howard Goren, Robyn Goren, Toni Greenberg, Frances and Joel Grossman Charitable Fund, Rabbi Mordechai Harris, Jose G Hernandez, Susan Hock, Franceska Isaly, Ben Jablonover, Ron Kaplan, Wendy Kantor, Sarah Kayle, Rena and Shalom Kieval Family Fund, Joanna Kramer, Erika Gold in honor of Maryann Lannoch, Benjamin Lehrman, Honey Levick, Jil Levick, Robert Levick, Jonathan Cutler in honor of Herbert Lichtenstein, Glenys Lindenberg, Jordyn Loring, Luda, Michael and Ruth B. Margolin Fund, Adir Koschitzsky dedicated to Rachel Meyerowitz, Miles, Henry Morton dedicated to Rachel Meyerowitz, Michael Mintz, Victor Ney, Barbara Craft in honor of Susy Oster, Rabbi Michael Paley, Marissa Porter, Bruce and Debby Powell, Jordana Price, Richard Rossman, Richard Rossman dedicated to Rabbi Michael Paley, Shael Rosenbaum, Lynne Rubin, Dikla Schaap, Robyn Goldberg in honor of Shari and Fred Schenk, Frederic Schragger, Moshe Shamah, Scott, Zach Silver, Linda Singer, David Steinberg, Steven VanGrack, Erika Gold in honor of Cheryl Warner, Eileen and Mark Wesley, Alex Weisler and Rabbi Alex Braver, Julia Winston, Yakov and Mushky, Daniel Zaas, Andreas Petrou-Zeniou.
Howard Abner, Sara Cass in honor of Dan Alpert, A Richard Barros and Andrea L Barros, Wendy Sandler in honor of Joel Beckman, Amy and Jonathan Bergner, Richard Biller, Harold Brooks, Leslie and Shlomo Caspi, Johanna Chanin, Judith Darsky, Jane Fantel, Gregory Feldman, Daniel Gellert, Jill Gellert, Josh Gellert, Phil Gellert, Elissa Oshinsky in honor of Marilyn Gellert, Cynthia Gersony, Alan Gill, Michael Paley in honor of Bob and Jayne Goodman, Susanna Green, Mary Haskins in honor of Susanna Green, Rabbi David and Debbie Kornberg, Daniel Kramer, Gary Krausz, Herbert Lichtenstein, Philip Lieberman, Alyssa Mass, Berry Meyerowitz, Ronald A. Nagel, Michael Oliver, Jan Olofson, The Lelkes-Palgon Charitable Fund, Arleen Priest, Cheryl Rattner-Price, Ilana Rabie, David Rabin, Leslie Richmond, Katty Rosenstock, Lori Rosenthal dedicated to Rachel Meyerowitz, Linda Schottenstein Fisher, Samuel Spector, Oliver Steinberg, Leslie Teicher, Harold Treiber, Beth and Hawkeye Wayne, Michael D. Weinberg, Carolyn Wilkov, Scott Zeger.
Carol Becker, Doron Epstein, Meira Fleisch, Janie and Adam Frieman, Abby Goldstein, Amy Lebovitz, Michele Levin, Michael Novick, Traci and Jeffrey Rollins, Robyn Schneider, Betsy and Richard Sheerr, Laura Solomon, Isaac Sonnenfeldt, Zigman Giving Fund.
Martine Fleischman , Judi Gottschalk, IKAR, Carol Levy, Zev Nagel, Rafael Pastor, in memory of his grandfather Karoly Wilhelm (1886-1951), a prominent leader of the Budapest Jewish community in the 1940s, Julie Platt, Cheryl Fishbein and Phil Schatten, Lynn Schenk, Steven E. and Gloria F. Vogel Family Philanthropic Fund, Susan and Eric Weisman, Gary Zimmerman.
Eva Gero & John Cillag, Irene Fayn, Howard and Lisa Miller Philanthropic Fund, Alan Reinitz, In honor of Blanka Reinitz z”l; Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman z”l and Rebbetzin Roza Reinitz z”l; Majer z”l and Betti z”l Gottlieb, Sydelle Sonkin, Harriet and Marc Suvall, Sandra and Edward Weinstein
Anonymous, Balint Charities, Andres Balint Charitable Trust, Beckman Family Foundation, The Jack Buncher Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, Dorot Foundation, Gellert Goldreich Family, JDC, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation , Susanna and David Green, Charles and Seryl Kushner, Palm Beach Federation, The Rosaline Katz Family Foundation, Lisa and Victor Kohn, Robin and Neil Kramer, Cathi and David Luski, Drs. John and Daisy Merey, David Moore, The Plum Foundation, Stan and Barbara (z”l) Rabin, George & Martha Rich Foundation (Langer Family), Shari and Frederick Schenk, Louis B. Thalheimer and Family, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, The Alexander (z’l) and Valerie Viterbi Fund at the JCF of San Diego, Sharon and David Wax, Nicky Yakubovich
The Steering Committee plays a vital advisory role, reporting to and making strategic recommendations to the JCC Board. This ensures that the Friends of JCC Budapest continues to thrive and create meaningful impact.
Members are invited to join this dedicated group of supporters and gain access to operational insights, financial updates, tailored program opportunities, and the chance to actively participate in key decision-making processes.