The Appelbaum Family Legacy

Sally Leafman Appelbaum and the late Kenneth Appelbaum z"l (may his memory be a blessing) have been true caretakers, exercising their responsibility to participate in charitable giving and fostering the growth of the Jewish people. 

The Appelbaums joined Adath in 1967. Sally initially got involved through her children, Mark and Ellen z"l, and the nursery school. Later, she and Ken served on the synagogue's Board of Trustees. Sally was elected president from 1983 to 1985. Ken was a member of the Adath Jeshurun Foundation's Board of Directors when it was founded in 1987. They both were moving forces in the construction of our new building and were instrumental in bringing that vision to life. According to Sally, "It is a humbling experience to see the fruits of our labor forge another link in our Jewish generations." 

Sally Leafman Appelbaum

Ken and Sally encouraged the congregation to reach for excellence. In 1985, they brought about a new era in Jewish family life education at Adath when they established the Ken and Sally Appelbaum Family Life Education Fund. This permanent fund supported new family education programs such as family retreats, Shabbat weekends, and study sessions for sixth graders and their parents. The Fund later evolved and was renamed the Ken and Sally Appelbaum Keruv Fund in the Adath Jeshurun Foundation. It supports the needs of our diverse community with a specific focus on outreach to underserved populations and brings people close to the synagogue who sometimes feel distanced. 

Sally is known for praising our congregation across the country and around the world for our ability "to be a full service congregation, caring for our congregants from the cradle to the grave." 

Five years after Ken's death, Sally decided to be the first to endow her dues by establishing a Life Members Fund in the Adath Jeshurun Foundation. She became Adath's first lifetime member, modeling a new way of giving for our congregants. 

It is said in Pirkei Avot that "You are not obliged to finish the task, neither are you free to neglect it" (2:21). This Talmudic phrase describes Ken and Sally's lifelong commitment to Adath Jeshurun Congregation. The Appelbaum funds are living legacies and will inspire our next 125 years and beyond.

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