Michael Simon

I believe in paying it forward to help make the world a better place.

I was raised in a poor Jewish family in Wilmington, North Carolina. We were the have not Jews.

I have come to learn in life that giving and helping others is more important to me than having fancy material possessions.

Many of the nonprofit organizations I have chosen to support help the needy people of my community with basic services.  We have hungry poor people in Portland, and yes, even poor Jewish people here in need of housing, food and medical care.

I have named the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation the recipient of my retirement investment accounts to continue my legacy of tikkun olam – making the world a better place.