Sam Lipson continues to build upon the roots his parents established as founding members of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac.
Lipson serves as president of B’nai Tzedek Brotherhood and seeks justice — tzedek tzedek tirdof — through his professional role as a corporate lawyer by day.
He and his wife serve on the Next Generation board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where they support the museum through public outreach and fundraising events.
The dad of three lives in his hometown of Potomac.
Tell me about your Jewish upbringing and background.
I was born and raised here in Potomac, actually at B’nai Tzedek. My parents were founding members. We were Jewishly involved — my dad was the president of the synagogue; my mom was the president of the Sisterhood at the time. My mom was involved with the Holocaust Museum as well, and Judaism was just important in the house. Family Shabbat dinners were a regular thing; we observed the holidays. We didn’t grow up particularly observant, but [we were] involved after bar mitzvah and Hebrew school through B’nai Tzedek. I did the B’nai Tzedek confirmation classes [and] made great friends through the synagogue. I was involved in the youth groups as well; I was president of our [United Synagogue Youth] chapter. I would play recreational sports with some of the guys who are now dads of our nursery school students also at the synagogue, so [Jewish community] has always been a part of my life.
How did you get into volunteering in the Jewish community?
I think it was always just a part of my life. Before having kids, I spent more of my time volunteering more generally in the D.C. community. [My wife and I] lived in D.C. for a long time and I hold that in very high regard. Since having kids, and maybe amplified even more in a post-Oct. 7 world, I’ve found it extremely important to circle the wagons around our people and spend more time on education, both in terms of exposing my kids to it and creating a community for Jews to congregate.
What are your responsibilities as the B’nai Tzedek Brotherhood president?
I’m in charge of all organized men’s events. We have a great vice chair; the former Brotherhood president is a wonderful resource. We organize some fun, some philanthropy. We’ve done things like poker night. I have aspirations to organize around a Nats game or March Madness bracket tournament. [I’m] trying to make the synagogue a focal point for Jewish life: both fun, observant and philanthropic.
We organize the annual mailing of yellow candles for Holocaust Remembrance [Day]. We are in charge of ushering at the High Holiday services and we volunteer at other synagogue events throughout the year.
What is your favorite Brotherhood event that you’ve coordinated?
Probably this year’s Poker Night; it was successful. The poker night was well attended [and] multigenerational. One of the big pulls towards my involvement is trying to get it to be a bit younger, [trying to get] some of those synagogue young dads [to participate] in Poker Night. I think it was a nice mix of “old guard” and “new guard.”
Tell me about your involvement with the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
I’m always proud of what the Holocaust Museum does with the National Tribute Dinner. It’s an incredible event. It’s a crossover of education — that I think is the most powerful tool fighting antisemitism as the survivor generation dwindles — and a showing of force. I don’t know how many people [attend], but it’s thousands. There’s an honoring of survivors; there’s luminaries speaking; it’s cross generational. Certainly I’m proud of being involved in that in a very, very small capacity.
Why is lay leadership important to you?
I mentioned my parents were founding members of the synagogue. My parents were younger than I am now when they did that. Our generation takes for granted, I think, the existence of these Jewish institutions. We primarily grew up in a world in which they just existed and we didn’t feel any antisemitism; we didn’t feel that risk of their existence. I think our parents grew up slightly differently, one generation removed from World War II. It’s important that if we want [Jewish institutions] to survive, if we think that they’re valuable, for whatever reason — observance, for fun, to be values-driven, any reason you want to hang around fellow Jews is valid in my book — we have to lean in independently.
What are some of your upcoming goals?
I have three very young children, so most of my goals are centered around their development. I’d like my youngest son to learn to ride his bike this year. He just learned to read and write, so [I want to] get him going on some good books. I want continued involvement, continued exposure for my kids in the synagogue to get [them] used to some of the rituals, to continue to try to have Shabbat dinner every week.
