Brith Shalom receives largest gift in its synagogue history
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Congregation Brith Shalom Rabbi Ranon Teller with Velva Levine and Hazzan David Krohn.
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Velva Levine and family commit $5 million to renovate the sanctuary
During Congregation Brith Shalom’s Yom Kippur services, Rabbi Ranon Teller, Hazzan David Krohn and synagogue president Steven Goldberger shared the news that Velva Levine and family are making a historic $5 million gift to the synagogue. The gift supports a renovation program and, in gratitude, the sanctuary will be renamed the Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Family Sanctuary.
“Velva Levine is a visionary leader whose dedication to our shul and the greater Jewish community is truly inspiring,” said Goldberger. “Her family’s philanthropic legacy has enriched countless lives and will continue to be a positive impact for Brith Shalom for generations to come.”
Velva and her husband Fred, of blessed memory, have been beloved philanthropists and leaders in Houston’s Jewish community – known and respected by all. Velva is a founding board member of Holocaust Museum Houston and served on its executive committee for many years. She is a former chair of Women’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and was the inaugural recipient of Jewish Federations of North America’s Lion of Judah/Kipnis-Wilson Award, presented in 2004.
“Congregation Brith Shalom has been my spiritual and religious home through, what will be, three reconstructions, and this will be the best so far!” said Velva. “My family and I are so pleased to be able to contribute in such a meaningful way.
“The sanctuary, where we have prayed together and kvelled to hear Fred blow the last tekiah gedolah every Yom Kippur – I know Fred would be as happy and proud as we all are.”
Fred, who passed away in 2021, was a proud husband, father and grandfather; an accomplished businessman, tennis champion and musician; and shofar blower at Brith Shalom. He earned a gold and two silver medals at the Maccabiah Games in Israel and was inducted into the Ronnie Arrow Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for his tennis accomplishments.
Velva and Fred have generously supported countless philanthropic endeavors for Houston’s Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world, most recently making the lead gift for the Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Building in 2020. They have been proud members and benefactors of Congregation Brith Shalom for many decades, since moving to Houston from Kansas years ago.
“Velva and Fred have been pillars of generosity within our synagogue, through their unwavering support and commitment,” said Brith Shalom executive director Melissa Magenheim. “Velva’s dedication to ensuring a beautiful, sacred space for our community reflects her kindness and selflessness. Her warm spirit and passion for helping others make her an extraordinary person, deeply appreciated by all.”
In 2023, Brith Shalom held a special fundraising concert in memory of Fred, which highlighted Jewish composers of Broadway. The successful concert raised nearly half a million dollars in Fred’s memory, which in turn empowered the synagogue to address outstanding issues to the facility, beautify its spaces and engage the award-winning architecture firm Gensler to propose a remodel of the synagogue that will support the congregation’s growth for decades to come.
The Levine family’s historic gift will allow Brith Shalom to begin the process of this exciting remodel and will serve as the lead gift in a larger fundraising effort. More information about the Campaign for Brith Shalom’s Future will be announced in the coming year.
“Velva and Fred are exemplars of Jewish values – kindness, generosity, hard work, education,” said Hazzan Krohn. “Their gift will help secure the future of our synagogue in ways we’d never imagined. It will be an honor to lead services in the Levine Family Sanctuary for years to come, knowing such incredible people made it possible.”
Brith Shalom, an egalitarian Conservative synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Teller, is located at 4610 Bellaire Blvd, in Bellaire. Established in 1954, the synagogue’s mission is to “be a sacred community that nurtures every individual’s Jewish journey.” The most recent remodel of the Brith Shalom facility was completed in 1987.
“Fred and Velva have been an integral and special part of our Brith Shalom community,” said Rabbi Teller. “Fred’s shofar blowing at the end of Yom Kippur is a memory that will last for ages. I love that Velva has her regular seat at the Shabbat morning service. Velva and Fred have made a huge impact on the Brith Shalom community with their engagement, their support and their generosity.”
Velva and Fred are the parents of Dana Levine Guefen, and Julie and Bob Levine. They are the proud grandparents of Stephanie Levine, Andy Levine, Solomon Guefen and Ahava Guefen.
During Congregation Brith Shalom’s Yom Kippur services, Rabbi Ranon Teller, Hazzan David Krohn and synagogue president Steven Goldberger shared the news that Velva Levine and family are making a historic $5 million gift to the synagogue. The gift supports a renovation program and, in gratitude, the sanctuary will be renamed the Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Family Sanctuary.
“Velva Levine is a visionary leader whose dedication to our shul and the greater Jewish community is truly inspiring,” said Goldberger. “Her family’s philanthropic legacy has enriched countless lives and will continue to be a positive impact for Brith Shalom for generations to come.”
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Velva and Fred Levine, of blessed memory. |
Velva and her husband Fred, of blessed memory, have been beloved philanthropists and leaders in Houston’s Jewish community – known and respected by all. Velva is a founding board member of Holocaust Museum Houston and served on its executive committee for many years. She is a former chair of Women’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and was the inaugural recipient of Jewish Federations of North America’s Lion of Judah/Kipnis-Wilson Award, presented in 2004.
“Congregation Brith Shalom has been my spiritual and religious home through, what will be, three reconstructions, and this will be the best so far!” said Velva. “My family and I are so pleased to be able to contribute in such a meaningful way.
“The sanctuary, where we have prayed together and kvelled to hear Fred blow the last tekiah gedolah every Yom Kippur – I know Fred would be as happy and proud as we all are.”
Fred, who passed away in 2021, was a proud husband, father and grandfather; an accomplished businessman, tennis champion and musician; and shofar blower at Brith Shalom. He earned a gold and two silver medals at the Maccabiah Games in Israel and was inducted into the Ronnie Arrow Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for his tennis accomplishments.
Velva and Fred have generously supported countless philanthropic endeavors for Houston’s Jewish community and Jewish communities around the world, most recently making the lead gift for the Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Building in 2020. They have been proud members and benefactors of Congregation Brith Shalom for many decades, since moving to Houston from Kansas years ago.
“Velva and Fred have been pillars of generosity within our synagogue, through their unwavering support and commitment,” said Brith Shalom executive director Melissa Magenheim. “Velva’s dedication to ensuring a beautiful, sacred space for our community reflects her kindness and selflessness. Her warm spirit and passion for helping others make her an extraordinary person, deeply appreciated by all.”
In 2023, Brith Shalom held a special fundraising concert in memory of Fred, which highlighted Jewish composers of Broadway. The successful concert raised nearly half a million dollars in Fred’s memory, which in turn empowered the synagogue to address outstanding issues to the facility, beautify its spaces and engage the award-winning architecture firm Gensler to propose a remodel of the synagogue that will support the congregation’s growth for decades to come.
The Levine family’s historic gift will allow Brith Shalom to begin the process of this exciting remodel and will serve as the lead gift in a larger fundraising effort. More information about the Campaign for Brith Shalom’s Future will be announced in the coming year.
“Velva and Fred are exemplars of Jewish values – kindness, generosity, hard work, education,” said Hazzan Krohn. “Their gift will help secure the future of our synagogue in ways we’d never imagined. It will be an honor to lead services in the Levine Family Sanctuary for years to come, knowing such incredible people made it possible.”
Brith Shalom, an egalitarian Conservative synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Teller, is located at 4610 Bellaire Blvd, in Bellaire. Established in 1954, the synagogue’s mission is to “be a sacred community that nurtures every individual’s Jewish journey.” The most recent remodel of the Brith Shalom facility was completed in 1987.
“Fred and Velva have been an integral and special part of our Brith Shalom community,” said Rabbi Teller. “Fred’s shofar blowing at the end of Yom Kippur is a memory that will last for ages. I love that Velva has her regular seat at the Shabbat morning service. Velva and Fred have made a huge impact on the Brith Shalom community with their engagement, their support and their generosity.”
Velva and Fred are the parents of Dana Levine Guefen, and Julie and Bob Levine. They are the proud grandparents of Stephanie Levine, Andy Levine, Solomon Guefen and Ahava Guefen.
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