David Solow

In his nomination of David Solow, American Jewish Committee Chicago Director Dan Elbaum said that David "embodies Tikkun Olam."

A private wealth advisor at Goldman Sachs by day and volunteer Jewish diplomat and advocate, David is one of the youngest members of AJC's executive board.  Through his work with AJC, David has led meetings with Chicago political leaders and foreign diplomats stationed in Chicago to discuss issues like the Iranian nuclear threat and Israel's desire to have peace with her neighbors, and he will lead an AJC young board members diplomatic mission to Portugal next year. 

David is also very involved politically, working on the campaigns of several political officials in Chicago. Because of these relationships, Elbaum said, David is "able to act as a bridge to express issues of concern to the Jewish community." 

In addition to all of this, David is a family man and a connector of people who seems to know everybody. "First and foremost, he is a great person and incredibly well liked by all that he comes into contact with," Elbaum said. "David is always genuinely excited to meet people and his enthusiasm makes him a more effective advocate for issues of concern to the Jewish community."

Name:
David Solow

Age:
32

Pays the bills:
Goldman Sachs-– Private Wealth Management

On the side:
Family, politics, Chicago sports, cooking, golf

Relationship status:
Taken

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Happy father

How do you Jew in Chicago?

I am on the Board of the American Jewish Committee, where we work to safeguard and strengthen Jews and Jewish life worldwide and promote pluralistic and democratic societies where all minorities are protected. AJC is an international think tank and advocacy organization that attempts to identify trends and problems early-and take action. Our key areas of focus are combating anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry; promoting pluralism and shared democratic values; supporting Israel's quest for peace and security; advocating for energy independence; and strengthening Jewish life.

I also send both of my children to Jewish day school.

Passions:
Supporting political candidates I believe in; spending time with my family and friends; going to White Sox, Bears and Bulls games; cooking delicious meals; travel and playing golf.

How do you give back?
For the Jewish community I am on the board of the AJC; for my roots, I am on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Board of my childhood school, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools; for the community at large, I am active on numerous political campaigns, including being the Founding Chairman of Gen44, the young professional program for President Obama's re-election campaign.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
travel the world with my family and friends and cook every meal, and my wife would never have to clean the dishes afterward. And we would have courtside tickets to every Bulls game.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Chicago will continue to attract dynamic young Jewish professionals from throughout the Midwest.  I believe we will continue to be a national leader on issues concerning the safety and security of Israel, as well as helping the needy and other social issues that our community supports.  We will continue to integrate with the community at large, including the business community and our amazing Universities, while maintaining the unique character that makes Chicago's Jewish community so special.

Me in 10 years:
I will have just finished a bat mitzvah and be planning a bar mitzvah!  I hope that I'll still be on the board of the AJC, and perhaps be involved in Federation as well.