Ben Gurion Society

Ben Gurion Society - Logo - Large

Ben Gurion Society is for individuals ages 25-45 who make a minimum individual gift of $1,000 to Federation’s Annual Campaign.

Being a young philanthropist in the Jewish community is a remarkable experience! Your generosity for giving at the Ben Gurion Society level allows you access to special, members-only opportunities where you can network with other young business professionals and engage with top business leaders in our local and national community. We invite you to join us to develop relationships, Learn from the pros and grow as a young, Jewish philanthropist.

 Ben Gurion Society - Signature Event - David StewardJan. 8, 2013

BGS Signature Series,
featuring David Steward

Jewish Federation’s Ben Gurion Society collaborated with the Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network for an evening of networking and inspiration, as David Steward, CEO of World Wide Technologies and owner of the largest minority-owned business, shared stories and life lessons. Click to see more photos. 

 

 Ben Gurion Society Objectives

  • To support the activities of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and contribute financial resources to assist in maximizing Federation gifts from Jewish young men and women under the age of 45, preserving and enhancing Jewish life in St. Louis.
  • To develop a sense of camaraderie among local young Jewish professionals within the context of the organized Jewish community.
  • To provide a mechanism for welcoming new young Jewish professionals into the community to serve as a forum for issues from a Jewish perspective and as a resource for the Jewish and general communities.
  • To strengthen our commitment to Jewish values and traditions through educational and cultural programs and activities.
  • To foster the development of leadership roles for Jewish professionals within the organized Jewish community.

 

Why Ben Gurion?

In 1948, David Ben-Gurion became the face of a great new generation of Jews. His single-minded passion for the Jewish people is as much a part of his legacy as is the State of Israel itself. Today, the Ben-Gurion Society embodies that legacy — young men and women combining their power, passion and resources to build a strong and responsible Jewish community, at home, in Israel and around the world.

 

Past Signature Series Events

  • Bunny Burson - More than 50 new and familiar faces filled the Bruno David Gallery, as artist Bunny Burson showed her new exhibit, “HIDDEN in Plain Sight.” The crowd enjoyed a swanky martini bar and desserts, while Burson described the meaningful exhibit. See photos here – See coverage in Ladue News.
  • Maxine Clark – The Build-a-Bear CEO spoke to BGS members at her company’s headquarters. Many current and emerging leaders attended the breakfast session and heard about Clark’s commitment to the Jewish
    community.
  • Michael Staenberg - In a first-time partnership, The Regional Business Council’s Young Professionals Network joined Jewish Federation’s Ben Gurion Society for an interactive evening with one of StL’s top real estate executives and philanthropists. After Staenberg spoke to the crowd of nearly 80 young professionals, the group broke off for roundtable discussions of leadership issues. The diverse group mixed and mingled over
    cocktails and appetizers at the JCC Arts and Education Building. See photos here.
  • Diane Katzman – Diane Katzman spoke to a crowd of Ben Gurion Society (BGS) members as part of the Cocktails with a “Macher” series. Diane, an artist, businesswoman and philanthropist talked candidly about the
    rise of her fashion jewelry business, her triumph over breast cancer and how she maintains a work life balance. Listeners were treated to an interactive experience creating their own personal life balance sheet from which to reflect. Check out press coverage in the May 11 issue of Town & Style (pdf)
  • Martin Sneider – Professor, business man, & author of Toast, a retrospective study of Edison Brothers Stores, Inc.
  • Todd Epsten – President and CEO of Major Brands Holdings
  • Ron Rubin – Minister of Tea and Chief Executive Officer of The Republic of Tea

 

2012 BGS Leadership:

BGS Chairs: J.J. Flotken & Ian Silberman

BGS Committee: Jennifer Growe Soshnik (YPD Rep), Dorie Sher (Women’s Connection Rep), Brad Gross (Cabinet Rep), Tom Eidelman (Montefiore Society Rep), Rob Merlin (Cardozo Society Rep), Eldad Bialecki
(Maimonedes Society Rep)

BGS Advisors: National Young Leadership Cabinet Members – Jonathan Deutsch, David Kaslow, Lauren Weissman Kerner, Rich Gilbert, Julie Stern, Greg Yawitz

Next Gen Chair: Greg Yawitz

For more info, contact Margo Newman 314-442-4865 or