Giving as a way of life
Couple balances chesed with strategic philanthropy
By Janet Perez
F or Josh Wertlieb and Rebecca Light, giving isn’t just something they do – it’s who they are.

“It’s not so much a personal philosophy as it is our understanding of what it is to be a Jew,” Light said. “As a Jew,
we have many responsibilities in the way we engage with each other and the world around us. While we may often fall
short, we believe that giving is not optional or something separate from our ongoing, everyday life.”
Light and Wertlieb are an example
of a new generation of young Jewish
couples who are continuing their faith’s
call to observe the mitzvot.

“I learned several years ago that there
are more mitzvot bein adam l’chavero
(interpersonal mitzvot) than any other
category,” Wertlieb said.

Wertlieb was born and raised in Bos-
ton and moved to the Valley in 2010.

He spent most of his professional
career in the fine wine business, but is
now involved in real estate develop-
ment and small business investments.

It's not so much a per-
sonal philosophy as it is
our understanding of what
it is to be a Jew.”
While originally from Colorado, Light
grew up in Tucson and moved to the
Valley in 2002. She was a corporate
and nonprofit event planner.

The two married in 2012 and are the
parents of two boys, 3-year-old Ari and
1-year-old Eli. Light is now a stay-at-
home mom. Despite busy careers and
very young children, the couple con-
tinues to devote their time to philan-
thropic organizations.

“Both of our families have always
been active and engaged in philanthropy
in different ways,” Light said, “It was
always part of our lives, but getting mar-
ried and starting a family put a different
22 BEST OF JEWISH PHOENIX 2017
type of responsibility on us as a couple.”
Wertlieb is a board member and
treasurer of Valley Beit Midrash, a
board member of Jewish Tuition Orga-
nization, co-founder of Young Jewish
Funders of AZ (a giving circle that is
currently on hiatus), and vice president
and Jewish life committee chair of the
Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family
Foundation. He is also very involved
with Beth Joseph Congregation.

Light is a co-founder of the Jewish
Women’s Philanthropy Circle of Ari-
zona, a member of the Jewish Com-
munity Foundation’s grants committee
and continues her work with BBYO,
although she said she has “retired” as
an adviser after 11 years.

With their time at a premium, Light
and Wertlieb consider many factors
before deciding which
organizations and causes
to help.

“Organizations that
share our values, address
the real needs of the
community, are collab-
orative, are well-managed
financially and to which
our level of contribu-
tions can be impactful are
generally the ones that
earn our time, money
and energy,” Light said.

“We believe in a balance
of chesed and strategic
philanthropy, with the
ultimate goal of making
our community better
and more engaging.”
Light and Wertlieb are
also involved in organizations outside
of the Jewish community. As residents
of the Encanto Palmcroft Historical
District, the couple is interested in
efforts to strengthen downtown Phoe-
nix. They also support groups that
focus on children and the arts.

As parents, Light and Wertlieb are
ready to pass onto their children their
families’ tradition of giving back. They
also hope they are inspiring their peers
and are looking to be inspired in return.

“If any of our efforts or involvement
have inspired others to either give more
or do more for other people, that would
make us the most proud,” Light said.

“Similarly, we are always looking for
partnerships with others that will push us
to grow as humans, philanthropists and
Jews.” Photo by Ken Brown Photography