Up Close with Scott Vogel
Scott joins co-chair Cindy Finestone in leading th e Memphis Jewish Federation’s 2019 Campaign
Team. As a lifelong Memphian and communal leader, he follows in the footsteps of his parents
who were deeply involved with the Memphis Jewish and general communities.
Where in Memphis did you grow up?
I grew up near the old Baron Hirsch in Midtown.
When I was 15, my mom, Sandy Vogel Lewis,
married Kirke Lewis and we moved out East
where my backyard was Hutchison School.
What was your first volunteer role in the Jewish
Community?
As a teenager I was a member of BBYO. Later I
served on the Memphis Jewish Federation board
and was a chair of YAD (Young Jewish Adults).
How/Why did you first become involved with
Memphis Jewish Federation?
Thirty years ago I showed up for an annual
meeting and was asked to participate. I
believe then, and continue to believe, that as
a community member I have a responsibility
to “show up,” be willing to volunteer and give
tzedakah at a personally fulfilling level.
Looking back, my perception in those earlier
days was that it was difficult as a young person
to participate in the Jewish Community. There
just weren’t many young people on boards.
Now, 30 years later, I look at the Jewish
community and see the same view. Although
I believe millennials see the world differently
than before, we have the opportunity to execute
more marketing and informational programs
more frequently through Facebook, Instagram,
and Twitter. We also need to understand
the passions of our youth and give them the
opportunity to change our community now.
Why did you agree to serve as a Community
Campaign Co-Chair?
This is another step in continuing to give back to a
community that has given so much to my family
and my children. Federation has provided funds or
programming to support everything I do Jewishly
in Memphis. I know that it is challenging to meet
all the needs, but chairing the campaign with Cindy
and Eileen Posner, who is chairing the Lions of
Judah, allows us to bring new ideas to the table.
I want to help tell the Federation story and
explain it in ways so that donors understand the
importance of “community giving.” Hopefully
I can influence their decision so they become
emotionally moved to make a donation because
they know they are making a difference.
Who most influenced your volunteer
involvement? And how?
That is easy. My parents, Sandy and Kirke
Lewis taught our family to give back by
“doing” and “giving.” They demonstrated
the importance of showing up and having a
voice at the table. As a blended family they
each had their own interests. My mom was
a committed volunteer at Baron Hirsch.
She worked at St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital where she started as a secretary
in a research department to soon become
Danny Thomas’ point person when he was in
Memphis. She was in charge of touring all the
VIPs, she established the gift shop, volunteer
program and was the secretary to the Board of
Directors. Growing up all I knew was St. Jude
and giving back.
Kirke married my Mom in 1979 and became
an influential and instructive father from day
one. His background could not have been more
different than my mother’s. He was reform,
while we were orthodox. But he appreciated the
traditions and rituals we brought to the new
family. He was a past president of Temple Israel
and a successful life insurance professional who
became president of the largest life insurance
professional association in the country.
Plough Towers was the one place they worked
together. He was part of the founding board
to build Plough Towers and served as its first
President. Years later my mother joined its board
and eventually became president as well.
My sister, Tami, and I always saw them giving
themselves to make our community better. I
hope my children see the same commitment
from me that I saw in them.
What does your volunteerism mean to you?
I have been volunteering my whole life. Whether
selling World’s Finest Chocolate for the Memphis
Hebrew Academy, doing bike-a-thons for St.
Jude or participating in the Jewish community
at different levels, it feels so good to give back. I
enjoy the comradery of a group who is passionate
about giving their time and money for a common
cause. We can replenish our money, but we
cannot replace our time, so it is the precious
commodity that I continue to struggle with to
choose the right places to serve.
Describe the most impactful Jewish moment
for you.
It sounds cliché, but it is difficult to pinpoint
that one moment. From childhood to adulthood,
I have been blessed with many special Jewish
moments. As chair of the Lemsky Committee, I
had the opportunity to return to Israel four years
ago after not visiting for 20 years. Since then I
have visited Israel each year. Each visit becomes a
special moment.
It has been a privilege to serve on many of
the Jewish boards and especially having the
opportunity to serve on the executive committee
of JCP and Federation. It is rewarding to see
engaged members from various backgrounds
and different congregations come together for
the good of the community. It is impactful to
know that we are sitting around the table for the
mission to work together, give together and to
allocate funds in a communal effort.
Up Close
22 September 2018 I www.jewishscenemagazine.com
Scott Vogel meets with campaign Co-
Chair Cindy Finestone (l) and Jewish
Community Partners’ President and CEO
Laura Linder about Memphis Jewish
Federation’s 2019 Annual Campaign.
/www.jewishscenemagazine.com