Who Are You?

Last Updated October 6, 2025 by by

There were a few impactful events that happened last week. It was the holiest day of the year for Jews, which is Yom Kippur. It’s a day we’re supposed to atone for our sins, fast, and attend services. It’s always a powerful experience to be in community, reflect on your year and where one may have fallen short, and practice a spiritual cleansing by fasting. I always feel better after having done so and this year was no exception. The other two were a concert Heather and I went to and a ceremony dedicated to the memory of my late wife Roneet.

We had the great fortune to see the final show of The Who’s last ever tour that took place in the Palm Springs area. Heather and I were in Europe when The Who played two shows at the Hollywood Bowl so we thought that we wouldn’t see their final tour. Lo and behold, however, while we were in Europe they announced out of the blue that they were going to add one more show and it would be in the Palm Springs area. We have a home there so we immediately decided that we couldn’t miss such a historic event. I had seen them three years previously in 2022 and they sounded amazing so I thought they still had it in them and figured it would be a great honor and source of pride to say I saw their final show. I also saw them in 1996 and in 1982, which was also billed as their final tour..haha. This time I believe them. Roger is having health problems and Pete does not like to tour.

What a way to go out. Roger and Keith still sound amazing for being 81 and 80 respectively. The band they have is top notch and they rocked the arena. Pete said towards the beginning of the show that he was surprised at how good this tour had been as he expected it to not go well. Pete expressed his complete lack of desire to do this tour and Roger was pissed off at Pete for feeling that way because for him it’s physically draining to do these shows given all of his physical ailments. And yet, they pulled it off and did so to universal acclaim.

I was blown away by the Rolling Stones and I felt the same way about The Who. It once again inspires me to live my life in such a way that I can still remain vigorous and vital when I hit my 80s. And yes, they did play My Generation, which I think is the first time I heard them play it live, and even with Roger singing “I hope I die before I get old” it didn’t feel completely out of place even though he’s 81 now. He’s a completely different person singing it now with eight kids and far more focused on his grandchildren then being the lady killer rock God that he was for so many years. He may be physically old but he’s not in his capabilities, love of life, and energy level. Given this it still resonated with me even when it was sung by someone 81 as being old is more than just a number.

One can see that Roger is more pudgy than he was in his younger days but he still sounds great.

I rather like this shot as it looks like a painting of Roger and Pete.

And while Yom Kippur and The Who were quite meaningful and enjoyable in their own way, the most impactful event that took place was related to a ceremony dedicated to my late wife Roneet in her parents’ home town in Israel. Roneet’s parents were present as well as my daughter Ariella, along with many of their family in Israel. I wanted to share some thoughts about this as well as my other charitable endeavors honoring Roneet’s memory.

Impact Over Happiness: A Life Lived in Tribute and Purpose

Recently, I was struck by a conversation between Daniel Ek, the founder of Spotify, and David Senra, where Ek shared that he tries to optimize for impact—even if it comes at the expense of happiness. That idea resonated deeply with me. It’s not that happiness is unimportant, but for some of us, the pursuit of meaning, legacy, and contribution eclipses the pursuit of comfort or ease.

I’ve often found myself walking that path.

In the years since my wife Roneet passed, I’ve tried to live in a way that honors her spirit and the values we shared. One of the most meaningful manifestations of that has just come to life in Nes Zyona, Israel—her parents’ hometown. A donation I made years ago helped fund the creation of the aforementioned park in a town rich with historical significance. The park is the site of the location of the first time the flag of Israel was flown as well as where key historical figures have spoken, including Theodore Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement. It’s a place where children now play, families gather, and community is strengthened.

But it didn’t stop there.

I’ve supported the research of Dr. Yama Akbari at UCI, whose work pushes the boundaries of neuroscience and healing. I helped establish the Roneet Carmell Training Center in Zambia, empowering local communities through education and skill-building. In Tustin, California, the future home of the Roneet Kimeldorf Carmell Center for Jewish Life will hopefully stand as a beacon of culture, faith, and connection. And in Jerusalem, I’ve contributed to Pardes, a place where spiritual and intellectual exploration flourish. I would like to think Roneet would have been proud.

Each of these efforts has been a way to channel grief into growth, memory into movement.

Professionally, I’ve tried to bring the same ethos to our work at CWS. By helping identify, capitalize, finance, and operate apartment investments, I’ve aimed to create opportunities for our investors to fund their hopes and dreams—and for our employees to build careers that are both satisfying and rewarding. It’s not just about returns; it’s about resonance.

Optimizing for impact means asking: What will outlast me? What will ripple outward? What will matter when the dust settles?

It’s not always the happiest path. But it’s the one that feels most true.

I will sign off with some photos from the event. I hope you reflect on how you spend your time, talent, and treasure, and think about optimizing for impact because, if you do, I think happiness can be a byproduct.

Here is Ariella with her grandparents and a family member.