Three Generations of Service

On December 16, hundreds of people filled the Grand Hyatt Washington’s ballroom to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Jewish Women International’s (JWI) annual Women to Watch honorees. Recipients came from across the country, and while most were individuals, this year, the Sondra D. Bender Community Leadership award went to a quartet of women familiar to many at Washington Hebrew, Carol Burman, her daughter Courtenay Burman Wallach, and Courtenay’s daughters Madison and Sophie Wallach.

The Burman-Wallach family has been a beacon of leadership and inspiration within our community for close to half a century. They have led first-timer trips to Israel, founding the Washington, D.C. chapter of Friends of the IDF (FIDF), serving on countless boards and committees, and generously donating their time and money to many Jewish causes. Recognized by JWI for their extraordinary contributions, they exemplify the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), generational responsibility, and the profound impact of communal engagement.

I spoke with the women as they prepared for a Shabbat dinner while on vacation in Mexico. Carol, the matriarch of the family, reflected on a pivotal moment in her Jewish journey. “We went to Capital Camps one Shabbat evening (30 years ago), and we were so moved by the children and their happiness. The spirit was very meaningful. It really resonated.” Witnessing the joy and vitality of the children despite the camp’s poor condition inspired Carol and her husband to take action, leading the charge to raise $17 million to rebuild the camp and retreat center.

This commitment to community is a hallmark of the family’s legacy. Carol’s granddaughter, Madison, described how these values were instilled in her from a young age. “Growing up, we would go to Capital Camps and to FIDF galas and see my grandfather speak and get honored at the JCC Dinner of Champions where both my parents received the Irene and Abe Pollin Humanitarian Award. My whole life, that was what I was used to — him being a pillar in the community. That’s what really lit our fire and spark to want to do the same.”

The family’s recent efforts to support Israel in the wake of the October 7 attacks further demonstrate their dedication. “We raised $1,500,000 for the FIDF,” Carol said. “We knew that if there is no IDF, there is no Israel. If there’s no Israel, there are no Jews. And that means you and me. We knew the importance, that this was an emergency, and that we had to do something. And this is what we did.”

Despite their accolades, the family’s humility remains at the forefront of their story. “At first, we felt very uncomfortable about it,” shared Courtenay Burman-Wallach. “You can’t feel worthy. We didn’t feel worthy of it. Maybe now we realize that just speaking up and talking about Israel and doing our part to get our friends involved, maybe that’s made us leaders.”

This sense of duty is rooted in their pride in Judaism and their commitment to ensuring its continuity. “We love being Jewish. We’re proud of being Jewish,” Carol emphasized. “This is what is important to me — that our Judaism continues through the generations. The lay leaders of today are concerned that the young generation will not continue giving. If Jews don’t give to Jewish causes, no one will.”

But supporting Jewish causes comes in many forms, as Madison pointed out, “If I can do one thing and post on social media or share the truth with a friend or even someone who’s not a friend to educate them or at least share where I come from or my experiences, that’s doing something in my eyes.”

The family’s philosophy is simple yet profound: lead by example. “It’s really just being taught, setting the example for the generations to follow,” Courtenay explained. “It can be little, it can be big. Whatever it is, something will stick. And it has stuck with us and with my girls now too.”

Indeed, Madison and Sophie have taken up that banner, hosting their own Shabbat dinners in New York, and leading events both formal and informal for young Jewish professionals. As Sophie said, “It only takes one interaction for someone to really understand how amazing Judaism is and how meaningful it can be.” She continued, “Doing charity and good deeds and tikkun olam really does make you feel, when everything in the world goes bad, you can always have this community where you can turn.”

As the family continues to inspire others through their actions, they remind us of the enduring power of Jewish values and the importance of passing them on to future generations. Their story is a call to action for us all to contribute to the vibrancy of our community and the strength of our shared heritage.

That’s one reason the family continues to play an active role at WHC. Courtenay shared, “Honestly, I couldn’t imagine not being at the synagogue. I couldn’t imagine not having a synagogue. It’s my community.”

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