Monday, December 23, 2024

Michigan's Car Dealership Mogul Jay Feldman: Driven to Give Back


Over the past decade, Jay Feldman has established himself as one of Michigan’s most impactful philanthropists. Starting his career in the automotive industry at just 15, selling cars at his father’s Chevrolet dealership in Milford, Feldman demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit early on. By age 25, he owned his first dealership. Through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, he expanded his business from a single dealership to a thriving network.

Today, the automotive mogul and Northwood University graduate combines his business acumen with a deep sense of compassion. Partnering with actor and business associate Mark Wahlberg, Feldman has raised millions for causes close to his heart, supporting children’s hospitals, abused children, first responders, and wounded veterans.

Feldman’s portfolio includes numerous car dealerships and RV centers across Michigan and Ohio, many co-owned with Wahlberg. While running his automotive empire occupies much of his time, philanthropy has become a second full-time passion.

“Jay’s generosity and philanthropy are impressive,” said Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield, where Feldman is a member. “We’ve had many conversations about the importance of giving back to the community. His work with the Children’s Miracle Network is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of his efforts.”


Dr. Jeffrey Ditkoff, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer of Corewell Health, echoed this sentiment: “We are extremely grateful for Jay Feldman’s support. His generosity and commitment have greatly benefited our patients and health system.”

At the recent Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational golf outing, which supports the Children’s Miracle Network, I had the opportunity to sit down with Feldman to discuss his philanthropic drive and vision for lasting change.


Rabbi Jason Miller: Where does your drive to give back come from? Was this instilled in you growing up?

Jay Feldman: Absolutely. My dad was always very charitable, though he preferred to give anonymously. I remember him quietly paying for funerals or helping family members in need. Watching him taught me the importance of giving back. His example of quietly helping others left a lasting impression on me.

For me, success in business has provided a platform to make a real difference. We’ve grown from one dealership in Milford to 21 dealerships across three states. That success enables us to host large-scale events like our golf fundraiser—the largest of its kind in Michigan—where we raised $1.6 million last year.


RJM: Tell me about your Jewish upbringing. Did it shape your values?

JF: I grew up in a connected Jewish household. I had my bar mitzvah at Temple Israel and attended Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills before graduating from Northwood University.

Bar mitzvahs weren’t as elaborate back then, but mine, which was at Nifty Norman's, had a guitar theme because I’ve played guitar all my life. While mitzvah projects weren’t a big focus then, I’ve come to see giving back as central to living a meaningful life.



RJM: You’ve made a significant commitment to the Children’s Miracle Network. What does this organization mean to you?

JF: Over the past 20 years, our company has grown significantly, allowing us to make a greater impact both locally and nationally. About nine years ago, I became friends with Mark Wahlberg, and that friendship evolved into a partnership. Together, we’ve donated to many causes.

During COVID, Mark’s brother, Jim Wahlberg, approached us with the idea of donating tablets to hospitals so patients could stay connected with their families. We ended up donating 1,300 tablets to hospitals like Beaumont (now Corewell Health), Providence, and Wexner Medical Center.

That initiative inspired us to launch our annual golf outing. We were debating doing it in Columbus or Detroit, and Mark decided he’d really like to do it in Detroit. Over the past four years, we’ve raised over $5 million to help 200,000 families in Southeast Michigan. This should be a record year for the golf outing.


RJM: You’re also involved with Tunnel to Towers. Tell me about your work with that organization.

JF: Tunnel to Towers was founded in honor of Stephen Siller, a New York firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. After hearing about the attacks, Stephen ran three miles through the Battery Park Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear to assist at the World Trade Center, where he ultimately perished.

The foundation, started by his brother Frank Siller, helps homeless veterans, builds smart homes for wounded soldiers, and pays off mortgages for families of fallen first responders.

I joined the board five years ago after meeting Frank at an event in Detroit. Today, the organization raises $350 million annually, with 95.5% of donations going directly to its programs. Locally, we’ve supported families like that of an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty, ensuring their mortgage was paid off immediately.


RJM: How do you plan to pass your commitment to charity on to your children?

JF: I have two kids, both living in New York. My son, a Frankel Jewish Academy graduate, is now attending Cardozo Law School. My daughter is at FIT studying fashion. While neither is interested in the car business, I believe they’ve inherited the compassion and generosity my dad instilled in me.


RJM: What’s next for you and Mark Wahlberg?

JF: Mark and I are great friends, and we’re always looking for new ways to give back. Recently, I joined him at his movie premiere in Los Angeles for The Union, and he has a big golf outing in Palm Beach this fall. Whether it’s supporting hospitals or helping veterans, our partnership is rooted in shared values and a commitment to making a difference.

Through his business success and partnerships, Jay Feldman continues to turn compassion into action, creating meaningful change in the community. With a deep commitment to philanthropy, Feldman’s legacy of generosity inspires those around him, ensuring that his impact will be felt for generations to come.


Originally published in the Detroit Jewish News.

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