Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix

Creating something positive out of a tragedy and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come is just what Sandy Fox chose to do in memory of her daughter Marcy Finerman Lewis, who was killed in a car accident 18 years ago.  The Marcy Finerman Lewis Endowment Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation awards an annual scholarship to
deserving students at Arizona state universities.  Sandy designated the scholarship to the areas of communications and theater; theater-related activities such as summer
theater programs; and Jewish-related theater activities and needs in the Phoenix area, all areas that were important to Marcy.  “We feel we will be carrying out her wishes
if she were still alive,” said Fox.

Marcy’s dad, Jess Finerman, and I chose this way to
remember Marcy by making this gift to the foundation in our lifetime so we could see where and to whom the money is going,” said Fox. 

Sandy was able to do just that when she had the pportunity to meet Karin Finkelstein, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Arizona, and the first recipient of the Marcy Finerman Lewis Endowment Fund. “Karin is an extremely bright, charming girl who I know will go
far in her career,” said Fox. “I’m very pleased with the recipient, her character and her goals for herself.”

Finerman, unfortunately, died a few months ago and was not able to meet the first recipient.  According to Fox, he, too, wanted to be involved with this whole process and she is sad that he will not be able to.

That’s why I feel it is so important to start an endowment
fund while you are alive and healthy…so that you will be able to be part of this process, rather than leaving money after your passing,” said Fox. “It’s a good feeling to know I will, hopefully, be a part of this and be able to see
who benefits for many years to come.”