The Leibowitz family lives by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, meaning “repair the world.” Suzanne and Josh are raising their three kids to embrace service to others, and the kids demonstrate their commitment in many ways.
All three kids, along with Suzanne, have started their own volunteer group called Kids for Community (KFC). Along with some friends, these kids do trash pick up, volunteer for the Food Bank, and collect toys for Toy For Tots. During the pandemic the Leibowitz kids also stared a project they called Kindness Rocks where they painted and delivered rocks with colorful designs and positive messages to neighbors. They have recently partnered with a local group “Rise Up Against Racism” to paint rocks supporting their cause of equality.
Jack, 13, is also a member of the Boys Team Charity, Diablo Chapter, where they do volunteer work throughout Contra Costa County. He plays baseball, currently on the Walnut Creek Bulldawgs, and is on Foothill’s Leadership Team. He’s also a member of the Lego Robotics Club and the Chess Club.
Shayna, 11, is active in Girl Scouts, gymnastics and languages. All three of the Leibowitz kids attended Bancroft Elementary School for the Spanish Dual-Immersion Program. In addition to Spanish, Shayna also learns Japanese at the Diablo Nippongo Gakuen. She enjoys learning about her Japanese culture (Suzanne’s father is Japanese.), and hopes to be the family’s translator for a planned trip to Japan in 2024.
Both Shayna and Jack are preparing for their Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, respectively. So they are also learning Hebrew and studying their Jewish culture. The family attends Temple Isiah in Lafayette.
The youngest, Judah, is 8. He’s currently in 2nd grade at Bancroft Elementary and is also learning Japanese like his sister. He loves many types of sports and is the daredevil of the family. He has a love of books and asks for books as gifts for each holiday.
Suzanne was born in Santa Clara and grew up in Southern California. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Biology and minors in Anatomy and Neurobiology. She got her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and now works in women’s health, at the OB/GYN office of Dr. Timothy Leach and at The Reproductive Science Center (a fertility clinic). “Working in women’s health is very important to me,” says Suzanne. “I love to educate young people, especially teens who will be headed off to college or into the real world. I give them the “talk” about safety, gender issues, medical practices, informed consent, basically everything I would want my own children to know as they grow into adulthood. The other very rewarding aspect of my work is being a part of a patient’s fertility and pregnancy journey. There is no greater gift than to point out a heartbeat for the first time on an ultrasound. It is the most special part of what I am blessed to do every day. I feel very fortunate to have two jobs I absolutely love and to work with some amazing physicians who I respect greatly.”
Josh was born in Connecticut and grew up in New York. He moved to Danville in 8th grade and attended San Ramon Valley High School where he also played baseball. He studied Construction Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona and continued playing baseball there. Josh currently works for Cahill Contractors, a family owned San Francisco company since 1911 that is in its 4th generation of family leadership. “The company has grown significantly in the 20+ years I’ve been there, but it still has a family feel and I enjoy the work,” says Josh. He left Cahill for a brief stint from 2005-2009 to work with a friend, which is when he met Suzanne along the sunny coast of Southern California. Their fist date was walk on Venice Beach, and they were married two years later in Marina Del Rey, overlooking the water.
A very important part of the Leibowitz’s year for the past six years is swim team at Scottsdale Swim Club. “We love our summer swim family. We never thought we would be a swim team family because of all the time that’s required, but the energy on the swim deck and the sense of community keeps us going back each summer. It is also the only opportunity we have for all of our children to be on the same team,” says Suzanne.
They are also big adventurers. Suzanne has visited over 25 countries, including some unique locations like the Great Pyramids and Iceland. She and Josh spent their honeymoon in Fiji. “We went on a cave diving expedition, which involved swimming through an underwater tunnel from an outer cave to an inner cave. Once in the inner cave we were surrounded on all sides by stone walls and only had one way out. Things were going well until we could feel something touching our legs. When we asked the guide about it, he reassured us it was “just sea lice.” You’ve never seen two Americans swim faster than we did that day,” recounts Suzanne.
In 2022, trying to establish a sense of wanderlust in the kids, they took a 2-week trip to Spain where the kids could use their Spanish skills and try new experiences. Their next trip is to Canada to see the Northern Lights.
Suzanne and Josh chose the Northgate neighborhood for its good schools, friendly neighbors, and convenience to San Francisco. As Suzanne adds, “Our goal is to raise happy, independent children. with deep roots in philanthropy and a strong moral compass. Being a part of this wonderful community is a solid foundation. We are proud to live in a city that embraces diversity and where different cultures and customs are celebrated. Give a wave and come say hello if you see us – don’t be afraid of the Kangadoodle (their Labradoodle Johnny who loves to stand on his hind legs to greet everyone!)”
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991