Phil Sokolof always said he made two journeys in his life — one as a successful business man and the other as a crusader striving to improve the lives of others. Those journeys merged in Sokolof's legacy to the Foundation through a three million dollar bequest.
Inspired by his wife Ruth's love of learning and the love of music he shared with his daughter, Karen, Sokolof established the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund and the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund. Together these two funds annually award up to $60,000 in scholarships to outstanding Jewish students from the Omaha metropolitan area. The Honor Roll Fund also each year awards $10,000 to the Outstanding Jewish Teacher of the Year as well as contributes $50,000 to the Federation Annual Campaign until 2020.
Basing the scholarships on merit rather than financial need, it was Phil Sokolof's desire to reward and encourage those students who strive for excellence and demonstrate a desire to make a difference in the world. Since 2006, the inaugural year of the scholarships, an amazingly accomplished group of young people have applied, and nearly half a million dollars has been awarded to the exceptional students who were selected.
The Foundation honors the memory of Phil and Ruth Sokolof for the impact their generosity will have on generations to come.