"Wealth is not to feed our egos, but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves."
-- Andrew Carnegie
Making a Difference, Enriching Lives
For three generations, the Sabes Family has exemplified the power of innovation, hard work and philanthropy, to inspire hope and opportunity in the community. The Sabes Family Foundation is grounded in a legacy of generosity and guided by the values of Moe and Esther Sabes, who created the foundation to uplift lives, foster creativity, and fuel progress.
The foundation, its affiliated self-directed accounts, and individual family members continue to leave an indelible mark across various sectors, including arts, education, health research, and community development with the following notable gifts:
The cornerstone of the family’s foundation and its community philanthropy was its pivotal million-dollar gift to the Adath Jeshurun Congregation. The gift enabled the synagog to move from South Minneapolis location to Minnetonka debt free. The gift is symbolic of the foundation’s mission to support progress and improve lives. Today, the Adath Jeshurun Congregation resides on the the Moe and Esther Sabes Campus in honor of the significant impact they made in the future of the congregation.
The foundation continued its support to the community with a multi-million dollar gift to rebuild the facilities at the local Jewish Community Center. The gift enabled the center to revitalize its infrastructure, creating state of the art fitness center and vibrant hub for arts, humanities, and togetherness. In honor of this gift, the facility was named the Sabes Jewish Community Center.
The foundation provided a meaningful gift that enabled the dormant Jewish Film Festival. Today the film festival is a thriving cultural event that celebrates and preserves Jewish culture.
The foundation has made a multi-year grants to support youth through partnerships with organizations like the Howard Pulley AAU Basketball Programs, the Minnesota Minority Golf Association, and Ujamaa Place to fostering leadership, teamwork, and access to life-changing opportunities.
The foundation has supported the advancement and achievement of individuals and families in challenged communities at the Northside Acheivement Zone and Saving Children and Building Families.
The foundation has supported innovation within insurance industry with a million dollar grant to the Insurance Studies Institute.
The foundation has supported advancing medical science by providing funding to the Mayo Clinic, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Stanford University, University of Florida, the Harry Peikin Foundation and the Sauna Research Institute.
The foundation, its affiliated directed accounts, and individual family members continue to leave an indelible mark across the community with philintrhopic gifts that support the arts, education, health research, and community development
A Legacy of Giving and Hard Work
Moe and Esther Sabes established the foundation as an extension of their life’s work, embedding their values into every initiative. From supporting arts and education to advancing medical research and fostering community growth, their vision has inspired a legacy that continues to thrive under the stewardship of their descendants.
Hard work has always been the cornerstone of the Sabes family’s success. From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, Moe Sabes transformed a small produce company into a groundbreaking force in the food distribution industry. His commitment to innovation, customer focus, and bold leadership set the stage for future generations to embrace entrepreneurial challenges and give back to their communities.
Today, Robert and Jon Sabes carry forward this legacy with passion and vision. Robert Sabes, an accomplished entrepreneur, has left his mark in the hospitality industry, creating unique dining experiences and fostering growth through innovative business models. His belief in the power of leadership and community-oriented ventures mirrors the principles his parents championed. Beyond his professional success, Robert continues to guide the foundation’s efforts, ensuring that its initiatives remain impactful and aligned with the family’s mission.
Jon Sabes has brought his own flair for innovation to the family legacy, focusing on transforming the life insurance industry and empowering individuals to align financial security with health and well-being. As an entrepreneur and thought leader, Jon’s work emphasizes the importance of helping people thrive—both financially and personally. His book, Healthy Wealthy Longevity, and his philanthropic efforts in youth development and health exemplify the values of compassion and perseverance that define the Sabes Family Foundation.
The foundation’s impact can be seen in transformative projects like the debt-free relocation of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation, the revitalization of the Sabes Jewish Community Center, and the resurgence of the Jewish Film Festival. These gifts are not just acts of generosity; they are investments in culture, community, and the human spirit.
Through partnerships with organizations supporting youth leadership, fostering diversity, and promoting groundbreaking research in health and science, the foundation continues to create pathways for lasting change. Each grant and initiative is a testament to the belief that hard work and generosity can turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.
As Robert and Jon Sabes build upon the foundation Moe and Esther created, they inspire future generations to embrace the transformative power of giving. The Sabes Family Foundation invites you to join in this mission. Together, we can enrich lives, foster progress, and build a brighter future through the enduring values of hard work, innovation, and compassion.