(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Milt Lewin, class of 1957, appeared in the Eastside Messenger on September 1, 2003.)

Jewish Foundation to honor Milt Lewin

“If you dream it … we can make it a reality” is the theme for the 48th Annual Meeting of the Columbus Jewish Foundation.  The event will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2003 at 5:45 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Columbus Grand Ballroom.

This year, the Foundation will honor Milton Lewin, Chairman of the Hamilton Parker Company.

Under his guidance, Hamilton Parker, the company founded by his parents in 1934, has diversified to include bricks, masonry supplies, tile, fireplaces, and garage doors. Friend Carlyle V. Perry Jr. refers to Milton as the godfather of the building business in Central Ohio.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Shalom House, the Builders Exchange Foundation, and the Columbus Jewish community are among his many charitable interests.

Co-chairing the event are Randy Sokol, President of Tee Jaye’s Country Kitchen Restaurant, and Pam Swedlow, Brand Marketing Manager at Wendy’s International, Inc.  Joining them as honorary co-chairs are long-time Lewin friends Bill Bonner, Herbert Glimcher, Irving Schottenstein, Robert Schottenstein, and Lewis Smoot, Sr.

The Columbus Jewish Foundation is the Central Ohio Jewish community’s endowment and planned giving headquarters. Among its most active donor advised funds is the Hamilton Parker Philanthropic Fund, which was established by Milt Lewin’s parents.  Elaine and Milt Lewin, along with their three children, Carrie Madison, Connie Tuckerman, and Adam Lewin, now govern the Fund.

It is the primary conduit for their charitable giving.  Among their most recent gifts was a special endowment to their family’s synagogue, Congregation Tifereth Israel, made in memory of Gertrude and Alvin Lewin.

“By accepting this honor, I hope that others will be introduced to the joys of giving,” said Lewin. “The Columbus Jewish Foundation makes giving easy.  If people are motivated to be charitable, I will be gratified.”

The Annual Meeting will begin with cocktails at 5:45 p.m. and continue with dinner.  The entire community is invited.  The price for individuals is $75, and tables are available for sponsorship opportunities.  For information, call the Foundation at 338-2365.

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