Judith Nadell & John Langan –
Happily married for more than 50 years, Judith Nadell and John Langan began their careers as college professors, moved to writing best-selling textbooks for Macmillan and McGraw Hill, and eventually founded their own educational publishing company, Townsend Press. No matter the setting, Judy and John have always been guided by one core goal: to serve communities in need. For example, since its founding in 1987, the mission of Townsend Press has been to publish high-quality educational materials, at below-market prices, for at-risk students in kindergarten through college.
Feeling fortunate and grateful for all they had, Judy and John years ago began reaching out–especially in Camden and Philadelphia–to help under-resourced communities overcome economic and educational challenges. The Boys and Girls Club, Philadelphia Futures, Children’s Literacy Initiative, Catholic Partnership Schools, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, HopeWorks, and Literacy Volunteers of America are a few of the organizations whose work they have helped support. Even closer to home, Judy and John have been involved in a range of initiatives in the local Jewish community. A founding member more than 25 years ago of BookMates (an inner-city literacy initiative under the auspices of the Jewish Community Relations Council), Judy has mentored dozens of youngsters as well as designed and delivered training materials for hundreds of BookMates volunteers. She has also conducted a variety of enrichment programs for Lions Gate and Saltzman House residents.
For more than a decade, Judy and John have been top-tier sponsors of the Katz JCC’s annual Arts Books & Culture Festival. This past year, their Townsend Foundation helped support Congregation Kol Ami’s Refugee Assistance effort, making it possible for families facing deportation to secure legal counsel.
Perhaps most relevant, given tonight’s event, Judy and John are proud JFCS sponsors. Their contributions have enabled the Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry to stock everyday toiletries and home-care items for distribution to clients who otherwise might go without. Judy and John are deeply grateful for this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of JFCS clients–and they look forward to continuing their rewarding partnership with JFCS in the years to come.