Anabelle and Mark Fishman: Endowment Honors Dad by Funding Trips to Israel

Mark Fishman tells the story of his parents’ 25th wedding anniversary in 1974: Bernard Fishman asked his wife Annabelle what he could get her to celebrate the momentous occasion. She wanted something meaningful—something that would truly embody their love and their values. As she reflected on their lives together and their shared interests, one thing stood out: their love of Israel. Ever since Bernard served in the United States Army in World War II, he and Annabelle shared a profound affection for Israel; and even amid a full life of raising a family, philanthropy, and running a business, they committed much of their energy to supporting our Jewish homeland. That’s how Annabelle realized the perfect anniversary gift: a preschool in the Israeli city of Ramat Gan.

And so Bernard worked with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to have the school built, to commemorate his love for his wife as well as their mutual love of Israel. On her most recent trip four years ago, 88-year old Annabelle was proud to visit the vibrant preschool which bears her name.

“My parents led their lives by caring about Israel,” remembers Mark, adding that growing up in that environment rubbed off on him. “My belief is that children learn how to act from what they see being done around them. What I saw was constant Israel involvement.”

Mark and his father talked all the time and even shared an office at their family-owned business, Fishman & Tobin. Therefore, when Bernard Fishman passed away in 2006 at the age of 82, Mark, Annabelle, and their family knew the best way to honor him would be to turn to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, where Bernard had served as vice president of the board.

Working with the Jewish Federation Endowment officers, the Fishmans created the Bernard Fishman Israel Mission Fund to enable more people in Greater Philadelphia to have impactful Israel travel experiences. Mark knew that the Mission Fund supported everything his father stood for while also achieving Mark’s own philanthropic goals. Mark wants people to feel good about being Jewish in 21st-century America and believes connecting to Israel makes that possible.

It’s working. the Jewish Federation mission participants frequently tell him that their trip to Israel changed their lives. Mark also hopes that his philanthropy inspires others to be philanthropic, one of the many lessons his parents taught him: “Being Jewish is giving back to our communities,” he says.