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38 | DECEMBER 12 • 2024
J
N

O

ver 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.

A CONVERSATION WITH
JAY FELDMAN
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

The automotive mogul’s
passion is philanthropy.

Jay Feldman:
Driven to Give Back

RABBI JASON MILLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jay Feldman and
Mark Wahlberg at
the golf invitational