JCS honors family for its multigenerational philanthropy

Michael Smith, and his son Adam, and his granddaughter Ariana, have taken to heart the Jewish tradition of charitable giving.

Jewish Collaborative Services recently honored the Smith family with the Ruth and W. Irving Wolf Jr. Award for Multigenerational Philanthropy, at a ceremony at Tamarisk Senior Living.

Accepting the honor from Scott Wolf, son of Ruth and Irving, were Michael and his wife, Marilyn Smith; Adam Smith and his wife, Dr. Andrea Allgood; and their daughter, Ariana, who is 7.

Ariana’s commitment to assisting the Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry at JCS, on North Main Street in Providence, served as the catalyst for the award to the Smith family. Ariana, a student at the Jewish Community Day School, learned about the mission of helping Jewish families in need, and asked her father to join her in donating food items to the pantry.

“Her family has obviously taught Ariana well,” said Sara Ades Goodwin, chief development officer at JCS. “Ariana is such a delight. She brings bags of food to the pantry herself and even helps to stock the shelves!”

The award was also given to the Smith family for their long history of philanthropy. Michael and Marilyn have assisted JCS in its elder-care outreach program by making visits and providing cheer at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Michael also served on the building committee for Tamarisk Senior Living Residence, in Warwick, which is operated by JCS.

JCS also thanked Michael and Adam for their charitable work as the owners of Shalom Memorial Chapel, in Cranston. Michael provided comfort to families of the victims following the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation, in Pittsburgh, in 2018, and assisted with arrangements for some of the 100 victims of the Station Nightclub fire, in West Warwick, two decades ago.

In September 2023, Michael was honored as Man of the Year by the Touro Fraternal Association, where he has been a board member for 35 years, and Adam is also a member.

The glass artwork award presented to the Smith family was designed by Neal Drobnis, the coordinator of JCS’s kosher nutrition program and a glass artist by trade.

LARRY BERMAN is the communications chairman of Touro Fraternal Association.