Rhea Coskey Inspires Jewish Leadership

“A major area of continuity in my life has been promoting Jewish education in order to preserve our history and Jewish traditions for future generations.”
—Rhea Coskey

Rhea Coskey has always engaged in Jewish life, a value her mother modeled in both the Sephardic and Reform Jewish communities. Together with her husband Hal z”l, Rhea has aspired to create a more just world and encourage the perpetuation of Jewish traditions through a commitment to Jewish education. In addition to managing the family business with her husband, while raising their three daughters, Rhea advocated for organizations like Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), which offer high quality and innovative Jewish education.

Looking to inspire future Jewish leaders, Rhea served as President of Builders of Jewish Education (BJE), chaired the Scholarship Committee of Jewish Vocational Service, and served as Vice President of Education and Chairman of the Board at Temple Emanuel.

It was Jerry Bubis z”l, Founding Director of the School of Jewish Communal Service, now known as the Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management (Zschool), who invited Rhea and Hal to support HUC-JIR. Rhea became Chair of the Friends of Zschool (formerly the Advisory Council) as well as a member of the HUC-JIR Western Region Board of Advisors where she is a current Emeriti Advisor. She has particularly enjoyed her role as mentor to many students over the years.

In addition to annual gifts to HUC-JIR, Rhea and Hal established the Coskey Family Public Speaking program, and Rhea has made a legacy gift to HUC-JIR in her will. For many years, she has used her IRA to maximize tax benefits while achieving philanthropic goals.

“The IRA rollover is an easy and accessible option that doesn’t affect my current income,” shares Rhea, whose investment in HUC-JIR provides students with the spiritual and entrepreneurial skills needed to become innovative and inspiring Jewish Leaders.

The College-Institute community is grateful to Rhea for her continued leadership and generosity. To learn more about advantageous tax opportunities to make a gift to HUC-JIR, please contact Anat Becker, National Director of Legacy Giving, at abecker@huc.edu or call (212) 824-2228.