Jack Boonshaft was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri in 1943, and attended public schools and the University of Missouri. He married Marcia Lyss in 1966 and is the father of 3 children and grandfather of 6. He had a career in retail management, working 25 years with Hecht Co., Washington/Baltimore, and retired from the Bon-Ton Dept. Stores in 2006.

 

Jack joined Beth El Congregation in Baltimore in 2011 after participating in an Israel trip. With Rabbi Schwartz's support, he revitalized Beth El's Men's Club in 2013 and became the new club's first president with an initial membership of 27. After several terms  as president, the membership grew to the present number of 130. Among the numerous responsibilities that Jack has overseen are annual membership recruitment, Scotch in the Sukkah, Ravens tailgates, providing speakers for numerous events, and Purim Carnival for the Religious School.