NJJN - Temple, UJC honor Livingston family for largesse

Temple, UJC honor Livingston family for largesse

Livingston residents David and Marlene Tepper were honored for their philanthropy by Temple Beth Shalom of Livingston June 5. Steven Montag, president of the synagogue, recognized their tzedaka in funding the Tepper Library and Youth Lounge at Beth Shalom. He also noted their landmark $55 million gift for the business school at Carnegie Mellon University, which was named the David A. Tepper School of Business.

David Tepper, a Pittsburgh native who earned his MBA at Carnegie Mellon, is cofounder of Appaloosa Management, a hedge fund investment firm based in Chatham.

The Teppers were presented a plaque for their generosity to the annual campaign from Lori Klinghoffer, UJA general campaign chair, and Kenneth R. Heyman, incoming president of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ.

“David and Marlene are among the most noted philanthropists in the country,” said Max Kleinman, executive vice president of UJC MetroWest. “In addition to their generosity to Temple Beth Shalom, they are at the highest giving level at United Jewish Appeal: Giborim and Prime Minister’s Council Lion.”

The Teppers also have been major supporters in the JCC’s capital campaign.

“David and Marlene Tepper have been wonderful supporters of the MetroWest Jewish community in so many ways,” added Steve Klinghoffer, past president of UJC MetroWest. “They have demonstrated time and again that where there is a need they are ready and willing to step in and fill the void. Their incredible generosity and philanthropy is an inspiration to all of us. “

Michael Silverman served as dinner chair. He is vice president and president-elect of the synagogue.

“Marlene and David Tepper have been extremely generous benefactors,” said Montag, who added that the Library and Youth Lounge in the synagogue’s new Education Center is just one example of their largesse. “And yet, they are also incredibly unassuming and modest. They truly epitomize the well known Talmudic statement, ‘One who pursues honor, honor flees from them, but one who flees from honor, honor pursues them.’”

Michael Silverman, who also served as chairperson of the event, said that the Teppers are “two of the most unassuming, warm people one can ever have an opportunity to meet. Marlene and David have opened themselves to the Temple Beth Shalom community and to the community at large like few people have done in the past. We thank them for their generosity, but most of all, for their dedication to the Jewish community.”

“As the past president of Temple Beth Shalom and the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, I find it very gratifying to see how much Marlene and David Tepper have done for my temple and my community,” said Marty Barber. “I am thrilled to be able to participate in honoring them at Beth Shalom’s Annual Dinner Dance. May we as a Jewish community continue to have them as a blessing for a very long time.”