The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center will honor philanthropist and community leader Bill Levine on Nov. 19 at the Arizona Biltmore. Actor and comedian Jason Alexander, of “Seinfeld” fame, headlines the gala.
When Jewish community leaders decided to move the existing JCC to the northeast Valley in 1999, Bill secured and donated 30 acres at Scottsdale Road and Sweetwater, with a vision of building a community campus that would include space for community organizations, a school, meeting places and The J. The campus was named in memory of Bill’s first wife, Ina Levine. She and their children had been actively involved in The J for more than 40 years.
“This is an opportunity for us to honor someone who is so deserving for what he’s done in the community and the impact that he’s had on the community as a whole,” says Jonathan Hoffer, J board chair, who is co-chairing the event with his wife, Rachel. “The old JCC, before it closed, was a place he used to take his kids to, so he understands the value of the relationships that the JCC can build.”
Jonathan and Rachel are a fitting example of the impact those connections can have, since they met each other at The J. Jonathan points out that he met his business partners there also. “I’m one of many examples of the friend and business relationships that come out of the JCC. Because of Bill and the gifts that he’s made to the community, he’s allowing the next generations to have those same opportunities,” he says.
Bill’s generosity has also benefitted the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, where the Levine Institute for Holocaust Education was named in his honor. With a history of more than 50 years in business in the Valley, Bill has supported many local organizations as well.
“To our knowledge, Bill has never been honored in such a way before, and because he is such a humble, gracious man, it is unlikely he will be honored this way again,” says J President and CEO Stuart Wachs. “He is a passionate and generous supporter of The J. He believes in what The J means to the community.”
Tickets for the dinner event are $500 per person. For information about tributes, sponsorships and registration visit vosjcc.org/levineevening.
