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Americans for Ben-Gurion University Awards Levys For Leadership

Americans for Ben-Gurion University Awards Levys For Leadership

November 16, 2009

Uncategorized

The Greater Texas Region of American Associates for Ben-Gurion University will present Jill and Nat Levy with the David Ben-Gurion Leadership Award on Feb. 22, 2010. Chairs for the ninth annual Gourmet Kosher Dining Extravaganza are longtime supporters, Sandy and Stephen Breslauer.


The kickoff reception will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the home of Sarah and Denis Braham. (A minimum donation is required). The evening will include a guest celebrity – Israel’s leading culinary journalist, food critic and television personality and author of three best-selling novels, Gil Hovav.


The Levys will be honored for their leadership, dedication and values that include and embrace David Ben-Gurion’s dream – the dream that promotes the pioneering spirit of Israel’s founders, that continues to flourish in the vast desert wilderness of the Negev.

The same dream provides innovation and assists in making the desert bloom. It led to the creation of a university that provides expertise in many fields.

The honorees join many like-minded individuals across the world in maintaining those endeavors and the university’s extensive outreach to the Negev’s diverse communities, its Arab neighbors, as well as developing and developed nations worldwide.


The Levys, since emigrating from South Africa to Houston in 1979 with their three children, David, Kim and Michael, have been working vigorously for their community. Their leadership extends not only to Americans for Ben-Gurion University on a local and regional level, but also to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

Nat has served as its vice president and Jill chaired the women’s philanthropy division and was a member of the Federation’s executive committee, its Community Relations Committee (which Nat chaired for three years), the Houston Jewish Community Foundation (Nat is currently its honorary secretary, serves on its investment committee and heads its professional advisors committee), and the American Jewish Committee, where Nat is an executive committee member.


The honorees’ background in-stilled in them a deep love for community and family and the importance of becoming involved in worthy causes. As an attorney in Pretoria, Nat served on the executive committee of the Pretoria Attorneys Association.

He was chair of The Pretoria Jewish Community Council and president of The Hebrew Order of David, Pretoria, vice-chair of The Carmel Schools Governing Body (Jill was an active PTA member at the schools), chaired The Southern Africa Association of Christian Brothers College Alumni Unions, pioneered one of Pretoria’s leading sports clubs, served on the Transvaal Executive Committee of the Progressive Party of South Africa and was vice-chair of the Party’s Pretoria Region.

In the 1960s, he represented a number of civil rights activists, including Nelson Mandela. He played an active role in opposing the apartheid regime in South Africa.


Outside the Houston Jewish community, Nat’s leadership has included serving on the board of the American Heart Association and, with his son, Michael, co-chairing the Development Committee of Houston’s Healthcare for the Homeless program.

Jill and their daughter, Kim, are strong supporters and life members of The National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases organization.


Professionally, Nat has practiced financial planning, wealth management and advising for 30 years in Houston.

His firm has been recognized by Bloomberg Markets Magazine as one of the top wealth management firms in the United States and, in September 2009, Texas Monthly magazine recognized him as a Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager.

He is a former executive member of the International Association for Financial Planning (now the FPA) and has authored articles and received a number of industry awards over the years. He is an arbitrator for FINRA (formerly the NASD) and the AAA and possesses the CFP designation.


Jill and Nat have been married for 45 years. Their children and their families – including six grandchildren (one of blessed memory) – all live in Houston.


For information about the kickoff reception and 2010 Kosher Gourmet Dining Extravaganza call 713-522-8284 or email [email protected].