COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
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communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

NextGen Spotlight: A Farewell from Outgoing
Chair Matt Shipon
WHEN THINKING ABOUT the next generation of
Before we launched the society, I had the honor of
Jewish leadership in Greater Philadelphia, Matt Shipon’s
speaking with Michael’s parents, Harriet and Mark Levin, to
name is never too far behind. After completing a successful
discuss why we wanted to name the society after Michael and
third year of a traditional two-year term as NextGen chair,
what it meant to NextGen. One moment in that conversation
Shipon passed the baton to Adam Klazmer, who was
that sticks with me till this day was when Harriet said, “I felt
installed in September.

very honored that Jewish Federation would choose to name
Shipon, a NextGen Leadership Development Program
something after Michael. He wanted to help. He wanted to
(LDP) graduate, is on the Jewish Federation of Greater
make a difference in this world, and with his passing he has.

Philadelphia’s Board of Trustees, Jewish Population Study
If it can help Jews around the world, that’s what you leave; all
Committee, and Planning and Resourcing Commission.

you leave is your name and what it stands for.”
He co-owns Hatched, a boutique real estate development
From my first trip to Israel on Birthright when I visited
company, and is also an active member of the Jewish
Michael’s grave, Michael’s story has continued to inspire
Federation Real Estate Group (JFRE).

me to do what I can to help our Jewish community. I am
In recognition of his unparalleled leadership, Shipon
honored to be a small part of his enduring legacy here in
was recently selected to receive this year’s prestigious Jack
Immediate past NextGen Chair Matt Shipon Philadelphia, and I look forward to seeing the Levin Society
Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia grow in the years to come.

Goldenberg Young Leadership Award.

We spoke with the Immediate past NextGen Chair to
learn more about his journey and some of his proudest moments over these past
What is one of your proudest accomplishments as
three years.

NextGen Chair?
One of my proudest accomplishments was the formation of our At-Large Board
What will you take away from your time as NextGen chair?
which created over 40 new NextGen leadership positions. At my first board
My time as chair of NextGen has truly been the honor of my life, and I was
meeting as chair, I said that I felt our biggest responsibility was to build a
extremely fortunate to work alongside an incredible cohort of like-minded
pipeline of leaders to eventually replace ourselves and ensure the continuity of
young Jewish leaders who are passionate about helping our community thrive.

young Jewish leadership.

The people I have met and the experiences I have had as the representative of
The At-Large Board provides a great opportunity for anyone who is looking
NextGen have helped me grow as a person and as a leader, and I look forward to
to take their involvement to the next level. Our board has always consisted of
continuing to support NextGen however I can.

executive committee members who would each have specific responsibilities
within the board, and today the At-Large Board members join them as ambas-
How did you build the NextGen community during the pandemic?
sadors, leaders and thought partners within the community. At-Large members
From breaking bread on Shabbat to chatting about life and family or sharing a
can go on to be leaders on our executive committee or on other committees
couple of laughs, NextGen events have always brought the cohort together in
throughout Jewish Federation.

meaningful ways that build friendships and strengthen our community.

When the pandemic first began, we all felt scared, isolated and unsure of
What advice would you give a NextGen newbie who aspires to
what each day would bring. Our community came together like never before and
become a leader?
quickly adapted to a virtual world. We hosted Shabbat zoom events, game nights
My best advice for people new to NextGen is to say “yes.” Don’t be afraid to step
and happy hours, and the cohort reached out to check-in on one another to make
outside of your comfort zone. Go to a happy hour even if you might not know
sure they were doing OK. I saw gifts pour into the Jewish Federation’s Emergency
anyone going. Sign up for a committee or volunteer event that you are passionate
Fund to address the immediate needs of our community. There was an immense
about. Join the Leadership Development Program. Travel to Israel with NextGen.

feeling of togetherness, even though we were apart.

The opportunities are endless for those who seek them out.

Despite the struggles and the eventual Zoom fatigue, NextGen members
continued to step up philanthropically to help those in need through their
Why do you give to the Jewish Federation?
annual gifts to the Jewish Community Fund — even in a year with so much
I give because I have seen firsthand how the Jewish Federation makes a difference
economic uncertainty.

in peoples’ lives. I have been to JRA where we boxed meals and delivered them
to those in need. I visited the Mitzvah Food Program and saw how revolutionary
What was one of your most memorable experiences as
their food selection system was. I listened to a speaker from the JDC about how
they help the most vulnerable Jews in the world. I have seen the grants we give to
NextGen Chair?
My most memorable experience as NextGen Chair was working with our
help kids go to summer camps, which was a huge part of my own life.

NextGen leadership to launch the Levin Society. Named in honor of local
hero and fallen lone IDF soldier, Michael Levin (1984-2006), the Levin Society
NextGen is the young professional affinity group of the Jewish Federation
recognizes young leaders (ages 21-45) who are committed to Jewish continuity
of Greater Philadelphia. To learn more about NextGen, email Max Moline at
through an annual gift of $2,500 or more to the Jewish Federation.

mmoline@jewishphilly.org. 16
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



L ifestyle /C ulture
There’s a New Cook in the Kitchen
F OO D
KERI WHITE | JE FOOD COLUMNIST
FOR THE FIRST 30-plus years
of Nancy and Jay Dubow’s
marriage, Nancy Dubow was
the family cook.

Then the pandemic hit,
and Jay Dubow, a partner
at Troutman Pepper, began
working remotely. Soon, their
two grown sons, David and Alex,
came home from New York to
work remotely. Shortly there-
after, Nancy Dubow, a devoted
daughter, began caring for her
widowed mother and was often
not home for dinner. That left
a gap in the kitchen, which Jay
Dubow gradually began to fill.

“I was amazed,” Nancy
Dubow said. “After all this time
of not cooking, it was a bit of a
surprise that he’s really good.”
“I like it. I come downstairs
into the kitchen after a day of
work, I put on some music, and
it’s really Zen,” Jay Dubow said.

“I find recipes from various
Jay’s chicken and green beans
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM places — at first, I would
follow them carefully, but now
that I have more of a feel, I
change them up, add or remove
ingredients according to our
preferences. It’s been fun.”
When asked about the
differences in their culinary
styles, Nancy Dubow laughed:
“When Jay cooks you can tell.

Every single dish, every spoon
is washed right away. I’m a
little messier in the kitchen.

And he’s all precision. I’m
more about speed. With Jay,
each piece of onion is chopped
uniformly; I just kind of chuck
it together.”
Their division of labor is
now pretty clear.

“Nancy usually shops, and
she sets a beautiful table,” Jay
Dubow said. “I’m more behind
the stove.”
Having enjoyed the fruits of
their labors at a recent get-to-
gether, I’d say they have a pretty
winning combination. We
Photo by Keri White
were greeted with a bountiful
array of olives and crudité
to enjoy with a lovely bottle
of chardonnay, which paired
perfectly with the chicken
dinner on the menu.

In addition to the dishes
below, Jay served grilled
eggplant and roasted potato
wedges. For dessert, we enjoyed
fresh berries from their local
farmers market, and assorted
biscotti. A perfect summer
meal. JAY’S CHICKEN
Serves 4 generously
This dish is delicious, healthy
and perfect for a group because
it can be done ahead. It can
also be altered to personal
preference and what you have
on hand or in your garden.

Shallots? Olives? Fresh herbs?
Yes! 2 pounds boneless chicken
breasts, cut thinly and/or
pounded (scallopine)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 pints cherry or grape
tomatoes, cut in half
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons caper juice
and 2 tablespoons capers
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ cup white wine
1 handful fresh parsley,
chopped Heat the oil in a cast-iron
skillet over high heat. Salt and
pepper the chicken, and sear it
in the oil until lightly brown
on both sides, about 8 minutes
total. Do this in batches if
needed; the chicken should be
in a single layer with space
around each piece. Remove the
chicken from the pan and set
it aside. It does not need to be
cooked through at this point.

Add the onions, garlic and
tomatoes to the pan and stir,
scraping up any browned bits
of chicken. When the onions
JEWISH EXPONENT
are soft and the tomatoes are
becoming a bit jammy, around
6 minutes, add the mushrooms,
capers, caper juice and wine.

Bring it to a boil, then lower
the heat and put the chicken
back in the pan. Allow it to
simmer for about 30 minutes
until the chicken is thoroughly
cooked and the sauce is slightly
thickened. Sprinkle with fresh
parsley before serving.

JAY’S STRING BEANS
Serves 4 generously
These beans were uniquely
delicious. The preparation
leaned into the recent trend of
cooking vegetables for longer,
which can really bring out
their flavors and meld with
others to produce something
approaching alchemy. If you
are not a mushroom fan, skip
them and let the beans stand
alone. Or, add onions, shallots
or, really, any vegetable you
like to complement the beans.

2 pounds fresh string beans,
tough stems removed
1 tablespoon canola or
other neutral oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet or wok,
heat the oil, salt and pepper
over medium. Add the beans
and mushrooms and sauté
them until they are coated and
cooked. Lower the heat and allow
them to continue cooking for
up to 30 minutes or so — a
little browning, or even char, is
fine; just keep an eye on them
so they don’t burn.

Dinner is served. l
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17