Gross Family Endowment Fund sustains the J’s infrastructure future
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Leah and Jon Gross set up The Gross Family Building Maintenance Endowment Fund to support maintenance and capital improvements at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC.
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This article is part of an ongoing series on the J’s renovation project and the donors who are making it possible.
At the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, several generous endowments have been given by donors over the years to support classes, festivals and athletic programming. However, financial gifts dedicated exclusively to building maintenance are rare.
Longtime J members, Jon and Leah Gross, saw an unfilled need – funding to cover the maintenance and upgrades to the J’s three Houston campuses.
“Rebuilding roofs, replacing air conditioning and updating IT infrastructure are unpleasant obligations, but they are necessary,” said Jon. As a result, the family has established The Gross Family Building Maintenance Endowment Fund to support maintenance efforts and capital-improvement projects at the J.
“Program needs may change over time,” said Jon, “but the physical plant will never go away. Money for maintenance and capital improvements will always be needed.”
The new Building Fund supports maintenance projects at the Merfish Teen Center, the J’s West Houston campus and the Milton Levit Family Campus, which is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation. The capital campaign for that project is ongoing, and improvements include a new health and fitness center and aquatics complex.
“The renovated main campus is fundamental for the continued redevelopment of Meyerland,” Jon said. “It’s an anchor for the community.”
The Gross’ endowment also will function as a legacy gift for the benefit of the J. Legacy gifts are planned future gifts that specify a part of an individual’s estate as a donation to a nonprofit. These gifts allow individuals to create a powerful philanthropic legacy by making a direct impact on the causes important to them.
The Gross’ history at the J is long, starting from the day the two met at the Center. In the 1980s, they both enrolled in the J’s Matchmaker Dating Service. “The J brought us together,” Leah said, “and since then, it has always been a constant.”
The couple sent their two children, Elizabeth and Benjamin, to the J’s Bertha Alyce Early Childhood School, summer camp, aftercare, J classes and teen programming.
Jon, who grew up in Dallas, moved to Houston in 1981 to work in the oil and gas industry. He was senior vice president of Exploration with Cheniere Energy, Inc. and director with Cheniere Energy Partners Holdings. In addition to being a consultant, Jon serves on the board of directors at Tellurian Inc. Jon joined the J’s board in the 1990s and has remained active using the J’s fitness center.
Leah was born in Honolulu to an Army doctor-father and teacher-mother, both New Yorkers. Her family moved to Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso when she was very young, and they were among a handful of Jewish families stationed there. Leah’s Bat Mitzvah was the first to be celebrated at the base’s chapel.
A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Leah briefly practiced law and then pivoted to fundraising. She has held positions at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Houston Museum of Natural Science and currently is at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. A current J board member, she has held many roles and has served as chair of the Houston Jewish Film Festival.
The J is a gem in Houston and an integral institution for building and nurturing community, according to Jon and Leah. That feeling was a driving force behind their gift.
“The J is a touchstone for our cultural lives, our children’s lives, for education, fitness, service – really in every conceivable way,” said Leah. “It’s opened our eyes, expanded our horizons and changed us.”
“The J has given us so much, including a strong connection to this community. We are happy that our gift will help keep the J in prime condition for years to come,” said Jon.
For information about the J’s capital campaign or endowment opportunities, contact Joel Dinkin, 713-729-3200.
Visit ournewJ.org or social media for updates on the renovations.
At the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, several generous endowments have been given by donors over the years to support classes, festivals and athletic programming. However, financial gifts dedicated exclusively to building maintenance are rare.
Longtime J members, Jon and Leah Gross, saw an unfilled need – funding to cover the maintenance and upgrades to the J’s three Houston campuses.
“Rebuilding roofs, replacing air conditioning and updating IT infrastructure are unpleasant obligations, but they are necessary,” said Jon. As a result, the family has established The Gross Family Building Maintenance Endowment Fund to support maintenance efforts and capital-improvement projects at the J.
“Program needs may change over time,” said Jon, “but the physical plant will never go away. Money for maintenance and capital improvements will always be needed.”
The new Building Fund supports maintenance projects at the Merfish Teen Center, the J’s West Houston campus and the Milton Levit Family Campus, which is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation. The capital campaign for that project is ongoing, and improvements include a new health and fitness center and aquatics complex.
“The renovated main campus is fundamental for the continued redevelopment of Meyerland,” Jon said. “It’s an anchor for the community.”
The Gross’ endowment also will function as a legacy gift for the benefit of the J. Legacy gifts are planned future gifts that specify a part of an individual’s estate as a donation to a nonprofit. These gifts allow individuals to create a powerful philanthropic legacy by making a direct impact on the causes important to them.
The Gross’ history at the J is long, starting from the day the two met at the Center. In the 1980s, they both enrolled in the J’s Matchmaker Dating Service. “The J brought us together,” Leah said, “and since then, it has always been a constant.”
The couple sent their two children, Elizabeth and Benjamin, to the J’s Bertha Alyce Early Childhood School, summer camp, aftercare, J classes and teen programming.
Jon, who grew up in Dallas, moved to Houston in 1981 to work in the oil and gas industry. He was senior vice president of Exploration with Cheniere Energy, Inc. and director with Cheniere Energy Partners Holdings. In addition to being a consultant, Jon serves on the board of directors at Tellurian Inc. Jon joined the J’s board in the 1990s and has remained active using the J’s fitness center.
Leah was born in Honolulu to an Army doctor-father and teacher-mother, both New Yorkers. Her family moved to Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso when she was very young, and they were among a handful of Jewish families stationed there. Leah’s Bat Mitzvah was the first to be celebrated at the base’s chapel.
A graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Leah briefly practiced law and then pivoted to fundraising. She has held positions at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Houston Museum of Natural Science and currently is at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. A current J board member, she has held many roles and has served as chair of the Houston Jewish Film Festival.
The J is a gem in Houston and an integral institution for building and nurturing community, according to Jon and Leah. That feeling was a driving force behind their gift.
“The J is a touchstone for our cultural lives, our children’s lives, for education, fitness, service – really in every conceivable way,” said Leah. “It’s opened our eyes, expanded our horizons and changed us.”
“The J has given us so much, including a strong connection to this community. We are happy that our gift will help keep the J in prime condition for years to come,” said Jon.
For information about the J’s capital campaign or endowment opportunities, contact Joel Dinkin, 713-729-3200.
Visit ournewJ.org or social media for updates on the renovations.