Giving is Gratitude in Action
Why Fern and I see every gift — large or small — as a way to say thank you to a world that has given us so much.
How I Arrived Here
My Journey into Philanthropy
From a young age, I was taught the value of giving — by my parents, in religious school, and through my years in the Boy Scouts. That early foundation led me to give both my time and resources throughout college, law school, and my professional life.
After surviving a massive “widowmaker” heart attack, I retired from work, but not from life. This next chapter is devoted to giving back.
Read my story→My Approach
Transformational gifts. Seeds planted everywhere.
Fern and I support a wide range of organizations across many fields. In a few, we are deeply involved, giving generously both financially and through our time.
We made a transformational gift to help build and fit out the heart and stroke catheterization lab of Shady Grove Medical Center — now The Larry and Fern Bensignor Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology Laboratory.
In most cases, we plant seeds — smaller contributions meant to help causes and communities grow and thrive. Sometimes the cause touches us personally, or is meaningful to a family member. Other times, we support dear friends by standing behind the causes they hold close to their hearts. This balanced approach allows us to make a difference in diverse ways, at different levels, and thus to help heal the world in meaningful steps.
The Journal
Recent Essays
A Conversation on Leadership, Gratitude, and Giving Back
Read my interview on Medium regarding our project at Shady Grove Medical Center — a shortened version, with a link to the full conversation.
Read the post →
The Hospital That Saved My Life
On serving the governing board of Shady Grove Medical Center — and what it means to give back to the place that gave you a second chance.
Service & Board Work
Today, I serve on the governing board of Shady Grove Medical Center, the hospital that saved my life. I’m honored to have served as Chair of the Shady Grove Medical Center Foundation.
I am a member of the Development Committee of Hope Connections for Cancer Support, and First Vice President of the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, where I chair the Finance Committee.