Joan and Skip Kessler stand out as individuals driven not only by professional accomplishments but also by an abiding commitment to giving back.  Joan is an arbitrator and mediator at JAMS and a Karsh Board member and Skip is a tax partner at Greenberg Glusker LLP and a Wilshire Boulevard Temple Board member.  They participate in numerous philanthropic endeavors, but their hearts resonate most deeply with the Karsh Center. Joan elaborates, “Skip and I have many philanthropies in common.  But the one that is predominant that we have in our lives and that we have in common is Karsh.”

For Joan and Skip, philanthropy is more than a gesture; it is an embodiment of their belief in making a meaningful difference in the world.  It is also a big part of continuing their family legacy of giving back. Skip shares, “Joan had a great uncle who was a lawyer and very philanthropic and who was a very important influence on her life.  I had an uncle who practiced law who was also very philanthropic and was a very important influence on my life.”  Skip believes that anyone can earn a living. But, he says, “Giving back and trying to improve the condition of the world is way more satisfying than merely earning money and makes all your hard work to earn money so much more meaningful.”

In 2014 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their prior law firm, the Kesslers wanted to mark the occasion with a significant act of generosity.  They decided to donate to then-under-construction Karsh Center, symbolizing their belief in the dream of what the Karsh Center could be and has now become.  

Skip recalls that several years later, when they were asked by a Karsh representative if they had any suggestions about who might be interested in funding the Karsh Center’s legal suite, Skip said, “Joan and I looked at each other and said, us. We have been successful practicing law in Los Angeles representing wealthy people, we want to do something for the people who cannot afford our services.”

In recognition of their generosity, the Karsh Center’s legal services suite was dedicated in their honor.  The legal services suite is a private space for community members to have legal consultations with representatives from one of the Karsh Center legal collaborator organizations, such as Bet Tzedek, on a variety of issues including consumer rights, elder/caregivers rights, employment rights, income tax disputes, public benefits, housing rights, and Holocaust survivor services.

The Karsh Center also hosts legal clinics in collaboration with other legal services nonprofit organizations to assist the most at risk and underserved members of our community.  To achieve this end the Karsh Center works with a number of legal service collaborators to help connect our volunteers to organizations serving Karsh clients. 

Skip recalled an experience when volunteering at one of the legal clinics assisting people in finalizing their application to become US citizens, that had a profound effect on him.  “A lovely lady comes in, dressed in her Sunday best, and she has a perfect application.  It was a pleasure to review it. The income cut off for not being required to submit an application fee was around $42,000 dollars.  She shows me her husband’s W-2 for $44,000 dollars.  My uncle Irv is sitting on my shoulder saying “That’s on you buddy. Make it happen.”  So I said to her, “Our firm is going to pay your fee. We went to her swearing in.  It was really touching. I consider that one of my important legal accomplishments. I actually think both my uncle and Joan’s great uncle were on my shoulder that day.  In the back of my mind all I could think of were my four grandparents, all immigrants, who went through the same process and now I was able to help a family do the same.” 

Another reason Joan and Skip are inspired to give to the Karsh Center is because of the way clients are immediately benefitted.  Joan explains, “It is such an obvious and important give. When you go to ask someone to donate to Karsh and you describe how Karsh gave out 250,000 diapers during Covid, it is immediate.”  Skip added, “The recipients are immediately benefited in all kinds of ways that make their lives better whether it is food for people on a regular basis or diapers or social services or legal services with one of our collaborators.”

Thanks to our generous supporters, like the Kesslers, the Karsh Center was able to support over 3,300 of our local community members last fiscal year, providing over 150,000 meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, connections to mental and physical health care (including dental and vision services), over 55,000 diapers and childcare supplies to families with young children, and so much more. To join us in caring for our neighbors, please consider visiting our online donation page or contacting our development office for a tour at madeleine@karshcenter.org.