Larry Gellman’s passion for Israel began in 1984 when he went on the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Acharai Mission (for young leaders). He admits he didn’t make the trip because of a burning desire to visit his homeland, but rather because his sister-in-law, Judy Mann, was the co-chair.
“[My wife] Jane and I wanted to support Judy’s effort, so we went,” he told The Chronicle in a recent interview. “For me, the trip was not so much a case of a dramatic life-change, but more of a wake-up call in terms of relating to my Judaism.”
As a result of the trip, the couple became involved in federation life and Jewish communal activities. Gellman said he also was motivated to become a student of Jewish texts and has lectured locally and nationally on the subject of “Judaism and Business Ethics.”
For his strong commitment to the betterment of Jewish life in Milwaukee, both in time and money, Gellman will receive the State of Israel Distinguished Leadership Award at the 26th annual Israel Bonds Tribute Award Dinner on Monday, June 18, at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave.
According to Todd Lappin, general chairman of Israel Bonds, “Larry has become one of Milwaukee’s great success stories. He has been recognized for his accomplishment as an investment professional while giving generously of his time, energy and financial resources to help make our community and the world a better place.”
Gellman said, “As a professional investment advisor, involvement with Israel Bonds was a logical extension for me. I feel so lucky to have become involved when I did because Milwaukee’s old guard, the pillars of the community — Max Karl, Phil Rubinstein and Jerry Colburn in addition to Marty Stein — were still active.
“They were a passionate people with such integrity and genuineness, which rubbed off on me as the new kid on the block. I learned a lot from them, which I carried with me into today’s more practical philanthropic world.”
Israel Bonds, Gellman believes, has been successful because the bonds are a practical investment. “Interest rates are competitive with other investments, and buying bonds is not a donation of dollars but a serious investment. As Israel became an economic power in the world, it began to attract big investment moneys. Clearly, investors could pick less vulnerable investments, but some feel this is a direct way to support Israel.”
Having continued his travels there at least once a year since making his initial trip, he said, “I go to Israel often because I love it there, not because of a sense of responsibility to go. Israel has become an integrated part of my life, which I hope to pass on to my kids. I like to work there, study there and be with the people.”
Fundraising’s challenge
In evaluating Milwaukee’s current philanthropic pulse, Gellman said, “We have to try to navigate through a new environment. Over the last several years, a single focus has made philanthropy lose some of its appeal in the marketplace. I sense people want to define their Judaism and their philanthropy on their own terms — which poses a problem for fundraising campaigns.
“We no longer have a one-size-fits-all product. Direct giving is a response to what donors are demanding. Donors today want to affect organizations that are meaningful to them, which requires agencies to look at the world in a new way.”
On the positive side, Gellman senses more vitality than ever in Milwaukee organizations and institutions. “All agencies, whether it be Jewish Family Services, the Jewish Community Center, synagogues or the Lubavitch movement, are impacting life and general well-being in Milwaukee. But we need to create a community in this new environment within a central address of the federation. Possibly endowing the federation’s annual campaign will keep up the annual budget.”
He acknowledged that the Jewish Community Foundation, the federation’s endowment development program, is doing well. But as past campaign chair for both Israel Bonds and the federation, Gellman thinks it’s important to encourage “established leaders to endow their federation gifts.”
In addition to his campaign efforts, Gellman has served as general chair and new leadership chair of the Wisconsin Israel Bonds organization, an officer of the federation, vice president of the Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership in New York and past president of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Last year, he and his wife made a $1.5 million gift to MJDS to help improve teacher salaries and benefits.
In the general community, he has been a board member for the United Way, United Performing Arts Fund, Children’s Outing Association, Girl Scouts of America, Child Abuse Prevention Fund, Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, Children’s Service Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
He is a graduate of Oberlin College, where he met his wife. In 1979, they moved to Milwaukee, where he worked for two years as a TV news reporter for Channel 12. The couple has two children, Sarah, 23, and Sam, 19.
In addition, Marty Katz will receive the New Leadership Award. Speaker will be Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, scholar, educator and author of many books, including “Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History.”
Dinner chairs are Allen Samson and G. Frederick Kasten, Jr. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. For reservations, at $80 per person and due June 11, call the Bonds office, 351-1777.
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