Attorney David Pratt arrived in Boca Raton in 1993 and quickly became a leader in South Florida’s Jewish community.
Pratt, 61, and his family have been actively involved in Jewish organizations across Palm Beach County, supporting federations, synagogues and Hillel organizations.
He recently joined the international law firm, McDermott Will & Schulte, as a partner based in Boca Raton, a position he feels will allow him to educate newcomers on local Jewish philanthropy.
Wearing a cap that reads “Curb Your Antisemitism,” gifted to him by his daughter, Pratt spoke with the Jewish Journal about his inspirations, the importance of local Jewish federations and Birthright Israel, and why he feels philanthropy is so vital.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What inspired you to start working with the Jewish community?
A: When I was a young lawyer, I got involved with the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach because I was practicing in West Palm Beach at the time. As soon as I got involved, I discovered a passion for it.
I didn’t grow up in Jewish philanthropy. My mother was always volunteering but I was not religious, we were reform Jews. When I got involved with the advisory committee and saw what a Jewish federation could do for the local Jewish community and for Israel, and saw that I could combine philanthropy with what I did for a living, it was a win-win and I loved it. I felt great about being active as a volunteer and helping in any way I could.
Q: You are now an active member of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Tell me more about your service with them.
A: After working in West Palm Beach, I started my own firm in Boca Raton, so I started to get more involved in the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and their Professional Advisory Committee. From the time I got involved, I have held every position within the federation, other than being the actual chair, which is a full-time job. One day I will hold that position, when I slow down or eventually retire.
As part of the PAC, I also introduced the concept of speaking to professionals in our community in legal, accounting and financial fields to broach the topic of Jewish philanthropy with their clients. That led to the formation of the Irving Eckhardt Mitzvah Society, where a professional is awarded if they bring a client to the federation and that client gives an endowment gift. I was the campaign chair the last two years and now I am the chair of the Financial Resource Development Committee, focusing on a combination of endowment giving and the annual campaign, which raises funds for a variety of needs. Most of my work is speaking to donors and educating them about what the federation does and how their gifts can make an incredible impact. I spend time with new clients in Florida, introducing them to the federation and giving tours of the federation’s campus.
Q: How do you feel the federation works to improve Jewish life in South Florida?
A: People come to Boca Raton and think it’s a beautiful place to live with all these wonderful communities, but there are Jews in need in Boca and South Florida at all levels. So while it may not appear that this exists for people who move to Boca, we have our issues just like every other community. The federation is always there to help the Jewish community and it expands far beyond Boca Raton. We Jews are a small community and it’s been a rough couple of years, and our federation along with other federations have a big part in representing the Jewish community and what we stand for.
Q: You are on the Boca Raton board of Birthright Israel. Why is this organization important to you?
A: I got involved through a program called Onward Israel, which is now part of Birthright Israel, when my kids were part of it. I was introduced to David Shapira, who essentially founded Onward, and I was so impressed with the eight–week program where they send over 3,000 young adults/college students to Israel for an internship that matches their interests. Years ago, he asked me to be on the board … it was a very meaningful role to be on the board of this amazing organization. Eventually, I lost my seat because Onward merged with Birthright Israel. It is an amazing marriage. The concept is that you go on Birthright for 10 days and then you stay for Onward.
I’ve now become a very active supporter of Birthright Israel. The proof is in the statistics: 160% of participants are more likely to marry Jewish; 84% are raising their children exclusively Jewish; and 122% are more likely to give their children bar/bat mitzvah. This is all for Jewish continuity. The connection to the land of Israel that one makes is second to none, and I want to keep doing that and we want to send as many young Jewish adults and students to Israel as we can.
Q: How do you feel your professional career as a lawyer helps you in these Jewish leadership roles?
A: I’ve been so fortunate in my profession to have been recognized as a leader in our community. Being front and center, I have been able to meet a lot of people in the community and a lot of people with a lot of money, and I can be their spokesperson to teach them about Jewish organizations.
I do a lot of planning for people who move here from around the country, and a new Floridian will ask me what they can do, and I will be the first to tell them all about what to get involved in within Jewish philanthropy.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for local Jews to get involved with their community in a philanthropic or charitable way?
A: Tikkun olam, which means repair the world. We are all very fortunate to live in this amazing community. I believe that we have a duty and a responsibility to make it better.
