If you spend a few minutes talking to Carol Aaron, her passion, her selfless dedication and her desire to make a difference are immediately clear. Aaron is a philanthropist and a pillar in the Jewish community, and she is the current chair of the board of trustees of The Legacy Senior Communities. Aaron spent 10 years serving on The Legacy’s board prior to becoming the chair, and in her role, she has positively impacted the lives of countless seniors in Greater Dallas. As a fourth generation Dallasite, Aaron learned about giving back to the community from her father. She set an example for her five children by regularly volunteering and being involved and engaged in the community. She instilled her philanthropic attitude and values in her children, and as a result, she is now able to share a historic moment with her daughter, Angela Aaron Horowitz. Horowitz was recently named board chair of the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas. For the first time ever, a mother and daughter will lead two major Jewish agencies in Greater Dallas at the same time.
“I think it is wonderful. It shows that the next generation is stepping up and taking an active role to help build community,” said Carol Aaron. “It is unifying between the generations to see the next one continuing the love and concern for others. It makes my heart feel good, and I am excited to know that we have passed on these important traits to our children.”
Aaron and Horowitz have always discussed projects in the past and ways to better the community as a whole. They share the same priorities, and they both want to unite people and help those in need. Aaron is proud of Horowitz and all of her five children’s accomplishments, and she uses her own life experience to offer advice along the way.
“I told Angela that you have to devote a lot of time to an organization when you are the chair, and she knows that from being on the board and serving as president-elect in the past,” said Aaron. “Angela is one of the few people who can handle raising her three children, overseeing 3,500 employees as vice president of administration and driver resources in our family business, Stevens Transport, and leading a major agency board simultaneously. She is a natural leader and knows how to prioritize well.”
“My parents are the axis of what has inspired me to this leadership role. By watching their journey and
their generosity, I have been inspired to follow in their footsteps,” said Horowitz. “It is truly unique for both of us to be board chairs at the same time. It embodies what legacy is all about, and the fact that we have the opportunity to serve such exemplary agencies at the same time is amazing. I get to lean on her for advice and vice versa. We have great discussions and intense debate about what we can do to improve things. It is an awesome feeling to work together.”
Horowitz’s goal is to engage her generation and future generations in finding their passion and impacting others. She has noticed that her peers are stepping up to take on leadership roles, and she looks forward to seeing what she can do to better the lives of those around her.
“It is powerful and inspiring. I don’t know that anyone can fill my mom’s shoes, but I will give it my best. I am up for the challenge. I feel like the community is my family, so when it comes to putting family first, they’re part of that family,” said Horowitz. “It is my generation’s time to take the torch from legacy leaders and carry it into the future.”
“While it is extraordinary to have a mother and daughter serve as chairs of two of our largest Jewish agencies, it is not surprising that they are Aarons,” said Bradley Laye, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. “The Aaron family is known for its philanthropy, and the family’s leadership is equally important. Carol and Angela have served this community in numerous capacities at many organizations, and together, they will accomplish so much for The Legacy Senior Communities, the Aaron Family JCC and the community as a whole.”