The First Notes of Philanthropy
Growing up in Forest Hills, New York, surrounded by Holocaust survivors, Riva Berelson was profoundly shaped by their experiences. Their harrowing stories of survival were interwoven with moments of music, laughter, and an indomitable spirit. “I feel very fortunate. I grew up with those survivors who embraced life. They had an attitude that Hitler didn’t take their lives away. Every child who was born was a simcha (joy); every birthday, every wedding, was a simcha. They were really the most amazing people.”
Riva’s parents played a crucial role in nurturing her understanding of philanthropy, demonstrating generosity and commitment to community. “They showed me how philanthropy worked,” she recalls, instilling in her a sense of duty to give back.
Orchestrating a Legacy of Giving
After achieving financial stability through hard work and dedication, Riva felt compelled to support causes that resonated with her, particularly in the fine and musical arts. “When I had the means to do so on my own, I started giving,” she shares. For Riva, philanthropy is not just an act of kindness; it’s akin to a business where the aim is to achieve tangible outcomes. “When you’re giving money, there has to be a measurable benefit,” she emphasizes, reflecting her focus on initiatives that yield real results. Her philanthropic vision is deeply rooted in her Jewish heritage and honors her family’s legacy. She and her husband David established the Riva and David Berelson Fund in memory of Gita and Henry Baigelman to commemorate her parents and support the Federation’s work in Israel and elsewhere overseas.
The Berelsons also donated a life insurance policy to the Federation, providing long-term support for future generations through the Federation’s Annual Campaign. “We wanted to do something sustainable,” she states.
A Crescendo of Engagement and Impact
Riva’s commitment extends beyond financial contributions. Over the years, she has actively engaged with various committees and programs, particularly with the Federation. Her role on the Federation’s Israel and Overseas Committee allowed her to influence critical funding decisions and support groundbreaking projects in Israel, especially in underserved communities.
Riva has also preserved her family’s legacy through meaningful donations. Among her most significant gifts is a collection of her father’s instruments to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in D.C., including a cherished Amati violin played by her uncle Samuel Baigelman, hidden in the Lodz Ghetto and recovered after the war. “That instrument was played by the next few generations of our family — my cousin even performed with it in the Costa Rica Symphony,” she shares, highlighting the profound connection between music and memory.
Also donated were a saxophone and a clarinet owned by her father Henry Baigelman that was played in Germany to American troops, in displaced persons camps and later in the United States. Encouraged by the USHMM’s research and archiving of her family’s music and history, the family made a joint decision to donate the instruments as a “witness to history.”
Composing Plans for the Future
To Riva, philanthropy is fundamentally about the future. “Today, I’m really a mature philanthropist. I’ve been doing this for such a long time that I think of it as a business model,” she explains. When invited to participate in initiatives, she prioritizes their impact on the next generation. “What are you doing for the next generation? You already have me — what’s interesting to them?” she asks, particularly within the Jewish community.
Riva’s philanthropic journey is like a song — a harmony of history, family, community, and joy. Its music echoes from one generation to the next, inspiring a legacy of giving and connection that cannot be undone.
