This year’s Torah Fund brunch, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, celebrates 83 years of Torah Fund at Temple Beth Am and honors Sandra Braun, with the Marjorie Pressman z”l Leadership Award.
This year’s Torah Fund Brunch honors Sandra Braun with the Marjorie Pressman z”l Leadership Award. The late Marjorie Pressman z”l was one of the founders of Torah Fund and the shul Rebbitzen when Sandra and her husband Bob joined Temple Beth Am and the Library Minyan in 1984. Bob, an attorney, has been a partner with Sandra in volunteering at TBA. Their sons, Benjy and Jonah, both attended Pressman Academy through Middle School. The family has expanded with daughters-in-law Randi and Lanie, and three grandchildren Fifi, Theo, and Bernie.
Sandra’s commitment to service at Temple Beth Am began when her boys were young Pressman students, and her passions have been fundraising and programming. She helped to establish the PTA at Pressman, and started new and innovative fundraising programs. Sandra extended her activities to the shul when she joined the TBA Board and served on the Ways and Means Committee, and later became Vice President of Adult and Family Programming. One of Sandra’s greatest contributions to Temple Beth Am has been in Israel programming. She chaired the Israel Committee and four TBA missions to Israel. Sandra continues to inspire others with her personal devotion to Israel, and her efforts to encourage that devotion in the shul community.
Sandra has been Sisterhood President, where she helped implement new programs like Rosh Hodesh. She has served in most of the officer positions, including Vice President of Torah Fund. Sandra continues to mentor our Sisterhood members and promote the Torah Fund goal of preserving our Jewish community through education.
Temple Beth Am has bestowed several awards on Sandra, such as the TBA President’s Award and Chayei Olam Award from Sisterhood. Sandra and Bob were joint recipients of the Etz Chaim Award from Pressman Academy. Her induction into Temple Beth Am’s Hall of Honor was further recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of the school, the shul, the State of Israel and the Jewish community.
Professionally, Sandra was a graphic designer for over 20 years, and was responsible for many wonderful invitations, tribute books and program promotions throughout this community. Since going back to school for a master’s degree, she has become a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice, specializing in recent incident trauma. She volunteers with KeepOlim, on their mental health helpline for English-speaking immigrants.
