Abby Leibowitz

Abby's legacy gift will benefit Addlestone Hebrew Academy, Charleston Jewish Federation and Congregation Dor Tikvah.

Being raised with Jewish values has strongly formed my identity. From celebrating and learning about Jewish holidays as a child to Jewish day school to Jewish summer camp to youth groups and living in Israel… the community, institutions, and organizations have guided and supported my life. A huge part of Jewish culture is education. We learn so much and often about the sacrifices of people before us and how small actions were then multiplied to have a lasting impact. This legacy gift is a great example of that concept.

I am inspired to leave a legacy gift because of the role models in my family and my community – my grandparents (Melvin (OBM) and Judy Solomon (OBM) & Herschel (OBM) and Eilieen Leibowitz) were great philanthropists in their giving of both money and time to many Jewish organizations. I now watch my parents do the same and so, I do this as well to give back and set an example for my children.

My sister, Rebecca Engel, also inspires me because of the passion she exudes in building community before she moved to Charleston, SC and now here at home  – she is a great example of thinking globally and acting locally. She also has inspired me with her inclusive view of Judaism. I have always admired how she is educated in traditional Jewish laws and history and couples that with a modern secular view that is accessible for anyone who identifies as Jewish and wants to do good in the world.

I love the Charleston Jewish community in particular because it has allowed me to forge my own definition of Judaism and gain exposure to all of the different things that being Jewish can mean. I was raised going to the Orthodox synagogue and the Conservation synagogue (where I had my Bat Mitzvah). I was part of the Reform youth group. You can be accepted at all here. As an adult, I have been part of professional groups like NAGIG 360 and served on boards at Dor Tikvah and Charleston Jewish Federation.

I appreciate what those before me did to create and maintain Jewish institutions in this town. Now, I proudly take my turn to give back.