Riemer and Braunstein, a Boston-based law firm, has made an initial donation of $25,000 to fund a “campership” program to jointly benefit the Jewish Brothers Big Sisters Association of Greater Boston and the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. The donation was made in honor of the memory of the firm’s recently deceased partner, Jonathan Samen.
Samen, a Lexington resident, was a longtime philanthropist and partner at Riemer and Braunstein for 20 years. He previously served as president of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston, and, at his time of death, was the president of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Endowment Fund, and was the co-chairman of the Jewish Community Centers (JCC) of Greater Boston.
“We believe that providing our support for the campership program is an ideal way to help more children enjoy more time at JCC camp in a manner that honors Jonathan’s commitment to those children and provides others with an opportunity to participate,” said Stanley Riemer, managing partner of the firm.
The funds will be used to provide an expanded opportunity for needy little brothers and little sisters to attend JCC camps. A strong believer in the benefits of summer camps for young people, Samen’s family owns and operates Stagedoor Manor, a nationally known camp for the performing arts. The goal of the Riemer and Braunstein funding is to permit the agencies to provide more “camperships” so that additional “little brothers and sisters,” regardless of family income, can attend a JCC summer camp.
“Riemer Braunstein’s gift in Jonathan’s name is a perfect reflection of his concern not just for the physical well being of all children but also with their spiritual and emotional health. Jonathan’s certain knowledge that the experience of summer camping magnifies enormously all the good things in a child’s life is mirrored in the generous and thoughtful commitment of his firm,” said Harvey D. Lowell, president and CEO of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The fund established by the firm in Samen’s memory has been created as an initial gift, which will be augmented by various individual partners of the firm and other long time friends of Samen. The firm’s gift is intended as an annual contribution and is part of a series of charitable and other activities for 2013 during which the firm will mark its 80th year in practice and service to the community.