Dynamic Duos

In speaking with both couples, one thing is absolutely certain: none of the group take anything for granted.

“We’re so fortunate,” says Andrea, who evinces the sharp acumen that defined her time as an entertainment lawyer. “We’ve been blessed with family, community, and success that allows us to live a really good life. It’s our obligation to help others who aren’t as fortunate.”

And help others they have. The list of organizations to which they volunteer their time is dizzying: Andrea serves as vice chair of Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles as well as a volunteer attorney with Bet Tzedek Legal Services, while Glenn is a board member at both organizations. Andrea also provides pro bono legal services for KIND, which works with unaccompanied migrant children, and the Sonnenbergs are on the board for Para Los Ninos, which supports students from Los Angeles’ inner cities. Glenn is a board member of USC Libraries, USC Gould School of Law, and Center Theatre Group. Andrea is the vice chair of USC Hillel and a Girl Scout leader.

That’s before getting to their extensive efforts on behalf of Stephen Wise Temple and Andrea’s position as CEO and founder of Wise Readers to Leaders.

The Fishmans have an impressive lineup of philanthropic and volunteering efforts to match. Jodie previously volunteered with Fulfillment Fund and CASA, where she mentored underprivileged youth, and she and Steve have been involved with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Birthright Council for over a decade. She is also the co-founder and co-chair of Wise Women. Steve, who is the managing partner of the accounting firm Fishman, Block + Diamond, LLP, is also a National Council member of AIPAC, a trustee of the Washington Institute, and serves on Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institue of Religion’s board of governors, among many other causes.

And when they’re not donating their time for a good cause, Jodie and Steve spend time with their children and grandchildren, all of whom live in Los Angeles.

“I feel very fortunate,” she says. “We do a lot with our kids. Being involved in their lives is our priority.”

For the Fishmans, family is the biggest reason why they volunteer so much of their time.

“It’s up to us as parents to teach them to carry it forward,” says Jodie.

The Sonnenbergs concur. “It’s important to heal the world and to live a life of meaning,” says Glenn. “We hope that we lead by example. Our children are following in our footsteps, as well as other members of the community.”

“It’s infectious,” adds Andrea. “It feels good to do good. When you lead and others follow, they get the same feeling. It enables them to be leaders themselves.”

Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback knows just how fortunate the Wise community is to count the Sonnenbergs and Fishmans as members. “We hit the trifecta,” he says. “They’re committed leaders who bring tremendous skill sets, generous donors who make our programs possible, and mensches who are wonderful role models for our community.”

Leaders Across the Board

When Glenn became president of the board in 2013, Stephen Wise Temple was an organization in transition. Senior Rabbi Eli Herscher had announced that he was stepping down from his role and the synagogue was separating from Milken Community High School.

Before taking over, Glenn was given some advice by his predecessor, Rick Corleto: You can either tread water and let the next person deal with it, or you can go big.

The choice was easy. Over his three years as president, Glenn spearheaded several campaigns, including an international search for a new senior rabbi.

Glenn recalls a moment during a Shabbat service sometime after he and the board enthusiastically decided upon Rabbi Zweiback for the role—he had been serving as Wise’s Head of School. “A woman who I didn’t know said to me, ‘The best thing you did for this community was bringing in Yoshi,’ ” he says. “I’ve heard that time and time again.”

“It’s been an incredible opportunity for me to learn,” said Rabbi Zweiback. “You want to have great rapport with the president of the community, and I’ve certainly found that in both Steve and Glenn, as well as in their successor Janine Kolodny.”

Meanwhile, Glenn pushed to do more, leading efforts to expand the campus.

“It takes a village,” he says. “A lot of people stood up and made the commitment.”

Few were more instrumental than fellow board member and Glenn’s immediate successor, Steve.

“We work really well together,” says Steve, who served on a number of committees before taking over as president in 2016. “Glenn is a fantastic tactician.”

Under their leadership, Stephen Wise Temple developed a five-year strategic plan, allowing the community to pursue more ambitious projects. As president, Steve oversaw the building of the Katz Family Pavilion, a $10 million project resulting in a cutting-edge arts, sports, and cultural space.

“You talk to most people outside of Wise about being president of a synagogue, they look at you like you’re crazy,” says Steve, “but I loved every second of it.”

But for the two former presidents, success isn’t just measured by dollar figures and facilities. It’s also measured by the deep bond both now share.

“Glenn has become my dearest friend,” says Steve. “I wouldn’t have met him if it weren’t for my involvement with this community.”

“If we hadn’t gotten involved,” quips Glenn, “who would I play golf with?”

Getting Educated

Andrea Sonnenberg knows the importance of childhood education.

In 2012, she had a chance to walk her talk. Partnering with Rabbi Ron Stern, Andrea founded Wise Readers to Leaders, an ever-growing literacy program that aims to close the achievement gap for students from low-income communities through summer tutoring, enhanced programming, and confidence-building activities. The program also runs year-round tutoring and literacy assistance for its scholars.

“She works incredibly hard for the program’s success,” says Rabbi Stern. “Her passion and leadership are inspiring to all of us.”

Today, the program counts five campuses across Los Angeles including Stephen Wise Temple, Milken Community Schools, American Jewish University, Leo Baeck Temple, and Wilshire Boulevard Temple—all supported by Wise staff members, seasonal staff members, hundreds of adult and teen volunteers serving over 450 students.

“The thing about Andrea is that obstacles make her more determined,” says Glenn. “I think what she’s doing is so amazing.”

Of course, more sites and more students mean more fundraising calls, more grant applications—and more obstacles. But for Andrea, failure is not an option.

“When those kids run off the bus because they can’t wait to get to class—that’s what keeps us going,” she says. “That’s what keeps me making those phone calls.”

“The thing about Andrea is that obstacles make her more determined,” says Glenn. “I think what she’s doing is so amazing.”

Her persistence has paid off. Wise Readers to Leaders has become one of the most successful literacy programs of its kind. By the end of summer 2019, assessors found that over 85% of Wise Leaders to Leaders’ 2nd through 5th graders were meeting or exceeding grade level expectations for reading and reading comprehension skills. (By comparison, LAUSD reports that 42.3% of their students meet or exceed grade level literacy expectations.)

But the program doesn’t only benefit students. It has also brought together an entire community of people—young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish.

“We have community members, we have teenagers, we have parents helping out,” says Andrea, who hopes to expand the program to every Title 1 school (designated by the Department of Education as schools in low-income communities requiring additional funding and resources). “Los Angeles is a segregated city, but here, we bring these diverse communities together. It’s become a gift from the Jewish people to the students of LAUSD.”

A Show of Thanks

For all the ways they give back, the Sonnenbergs and the Fishmans share one thing in common: a sense of gratitude.

“There are so many people here whom I admire,” says Steve. “It’s something I’ll always treasure.”

Stephen Wise Temple also offered comfort in the darkest of times. Two years ago, Andrea and Glenn’s son Bradley tragically passed away at the age of 21. As the Sonnenbergs grieved, the Wise community rallied around them.

“They were there for us,” says Andrea. “They helped us survive.”

That community spirit continues to motivate the Sonnenbergs and the Fishmans to look for more ways to help. And through their acts of service, they find a deeper connection to Judaism—a fact they hope to impress on others.

“The call to repair the world—that’s how I express my Jewish values,” says Andrea. “That’s what we teach our teen volunteers at Wise Readers to Leaders.”

“It’s important to recognize and appreciate our Judaism,” adds Jodie. “I would like my kids and their kids to know it’s important. They should never forget who they are.”

As the Sonnenbergs and Fishmans move forward with causes old and new, they’ll always appreciate those who gave them the chance to change the world for the better.

“Wise afforded us opportunities to lead,” says Glenn. “Being involved has enabled us to find meaning.”