Jewish Community Partners

Not every organization is lucky enough to have a Board Chair with extensive business knowledge and a deep understanding of what it takes to operate a multi-layered, complex organization.

As Marty Kelman concludes his impactful tenure as Chair of Jewish Community Partners (JCP), his departure marks the end of a chapter defined by dedicated leadership and significant community advancement.

A distinguished financial planner and co-founder of Kelman-Lazarov, Marty’s professional skillset has long been matched by his profound commitment to service. His business acumen helped steward JCP into strong financial stability over the past two years.

“I’m proud that both Federation and Foundation had exceptional financial growth this year,” says Marty. “Financial transparency has been and will always be a key focus for JCP.

“As the management organization of the Federation and the Foundation, JCP learned to focus its role on overseeing HR, Finance, marketing, investment, data management, technology, and legal counsel. Last year, my goal was to continue improving operational efficiencies across all three organizations. With the help of so many dedicated lay leaders and professionals, we were successful in this endeavor.”

Marty Kelman is the proud son of Holocaust survivors, Mayer and Paula Kelman. Their enduring legacy has profoundly shaped his commitment to Jewish life and memory. It was in their honor that Marty previously served as co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Memphis’s Holocaust Memorial Committee, a testament to his dedication to ensuring the lessons of the past continue to guide the future.

Beyond his pivotal role at JCP, Marty’s influence extends across numerous organizations. His board memberships include Facing History and Ourselves, the University of Memphis Alumni Board, the Unknown Child Foundation and the FCBE Dean’s Advisory Council. His accomplishments are wide-ranging, from his instrumental 17-year presidency and board membership at Lausanne Collegiate, which helped the institution achieve its current success and diversity, to building a successful wealth management firm over four decades.

Reflecting on his time leading JCP, Marty expresses immense satisfaction with the organization’s achievements. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished at JCP during my tenure,” Kelman shared. “We’ve truly worked to strengthen the philanthropic spirit within our community, ensuring that resources are available to support the vital institutions and programs that make Jewish Memphis so vibrant. Even our facilities had an exciting year, as we kicked off in September cutting the ribbon at the newly renovated Morris S. Fogelman Jewish Student Center at UofM and now we conclude the year having almost completed the much-needed expansion of the JCP offices at the JCC, our home that all of us value.”

Known for being an “open book,” Marty likes to share the story of how he once hitchhiked across the country from UVA to San Francisco in the summer of 1971. He’ll also tell listeners about the times he played golf and chess with acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman during Freeman’s time living in Memphis.

Marty was married to the late Dale Kelman, a dedicated psychologist whose dedication to helping others mirrors his own. Their son, Alex, also a psychologist, is head of therapies at Cybin, a science advisor at Canopie, an attending psychologist at the UCLA Division of

Population Behavioral Health (DPBH), and an assistant clinical professor at UCLA in the departments of psychiatry and psychology.

Marty’s views on the future of Jewish Memphis are bright. “I think it is very important that we remember and focus on the fact that our success is ultimately dependent on the Memphis metropolitan area we live in,” Marty said.

“With the incredible talent pool we have in the Jewish community, we must be engaged with our city’s leaders to find ways to grow Memphis in a way that we set ourselves up to experience growth in a similar fashion as Dallas, Atlanta, and Denver. As Laura Linder tells us, many cities in the Jewish Federation National sphere wished they had the giving culture and strong organization we have built over the last hundred years. If we find ways to be involved, we stand a better chance to retain our young people and attract more young people.”

As Marty steps down from his leadership role at JCP, his legacy of unwavering commitment, strategic vision, and deep-seated pride in his heritage will undoubtedly continue to inspire.