In the business world and luxury jewelry, the name LEVIEV commands immediate recognition for its unmatched craftsmanship of rare diamonds and high-end jewelry. But for Chagit Leviev-Sofiev and her husband, Greg Sofiev, the legacy of Leviev goes far beyond the sparkle of diamonds. It’s a story rooted in a deep, generational commitment to philanthropy, shaped by Chagit’s childhood spent in the background of her father’s transformative charitable work. Today, as leaders of one of the world’s most prestigious jewelry houses, they channel their success into meaningful, hands-on contributions to the community—whether it’s empowering women in business, providing educational opportunities to underserved youth or offering critical support to families affected by crisis. For the couple, true wealth isn’t measured by the diamonds they sell but by the lives they touch through their unwavering dedication to giving back.
A Legacy of Giving: How the Levievs Committed to a Life of Service
Chagit Leviev-Sofiev was raised in a household where philanthropy wasn’t a side project—it was a way of life rooted in a legacy passed down through generations. Her father, Lev Leviev, a renowned businessman and philanthropist, instilled in his children a profound sense of responsibility to help others, continuing the tradition of giving begun by his parents and grandparents. Lev’s efforts in the Jewish community were legendary. He established over 400 Jewish centers worldwide, revitalizing Jewish life in areas that had long been neglected. His focus on Jewish education was unwavering. Inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rabbi, he would often say that the key to securing a Jewish future was ensuring access to quality education from a young age, and he wanted to make that accessible to immigrant families. The family’s philanthropy is primarily carried out through The Leviev Foundation, a continuation of their multigenerational commitment to making a difference.
Chagit grew up in this environment, witnessing her father’s tireless dedication to causes that made a difference in people’s lives, “My father always taught us that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. These are the values I live by today,” Chagit said.
A Power Couple: Blending Business and Benevolence
Chagit and Greg’s journey as a power couple is as extraordinary as their philanthropic impact. Born and raised in NY, Greg had been traveling to Israel for a wedding where he met Chagit, sparking talk of a potential match between the families. At the time, Greg was running a successful jewelry business in New York, creating one-of-a-kind pieces for celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and Bono. Despite a glamorous lifestyle that had him moving between Los Angeles, Miami and New York, Greg was ready to move to Israel and start anew when Chagit expressed her desire to stay in Israel where her family lived. Selling his business, he relocated and joined the Leviev family enterprise, starting with diamond manufacturing before eventually moving together with Chagit to the US and taking on his current role as CEO of Leviev Diamonds. Chagit, now the CEO & president of Leviev Group USA and head of the ‘Leviev Foundation,’ worked alongside Greg in reshaping the company’s reach, blending his expertise in high-end jewelry with her financial acumen. Together, they’ve not only expanded their business but also carried forward the legacy of Chagit’s parents, renowned for their impactful philanthropy.
Their shared commitment to giving back has seen the establishment of lasting foundations, support for families in need and community-building initiatives that inspire others to contribute. “Charity is often something people prefer to do quietly and modestly. However, we’ve learned that when people share their charitable efforts, it inspires others to donate and get involved,” Chagit explained. She added, “Charity is not only a moral obligation but also, in Judaism, a commandment to give at least 10% of one’s income, regardless of how much you earn.” Together they aim to set an example for their colleagues and community.
For Chagit and Greg, philanthropy is a family affair. They make a concerted effort to involve their children in their charitable initiatives, showing them firsthand the importance of giving back. “The best way to share these values with our children is hands-on,” shared Greg. “By taking our children along with us on our philanthropic initiatives, they see firsthand the needs that are out there in the community and the good feeling they get from helping others.” Whether it’s hosting a lemonade stand where the proceeds go to charity or preparing food packages for those in need.
Combining Business with Charity: The Role of Leviev Diamonds and Real Estate Ventures
Chagit’s dedication to philanthropy is balanced by her professional endeavors. Together with her husband, Greg, they manage Leviev Diamonds, the high jewelry house established over four decades ago and widely renowned as one of the world’s leading luxury diamond companies. Headquartered in New York City with a private Fifth Avenue showroom, Leviev offers an unmatched range of high-quality diamonds and sophisticated jewelry designs that embody the company’s deep expertise, superior craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
The heritage diamantaires made history by breaking the diamond monopoly, going directly to the source to ensure unparalleled quality from mine to masterpiece, while establishing ethical and transparent sourcing practices that forever changed the industry. Under the leadership of Chagit and Greg, Leviev Jewelry has continued to flourish, maintaining a commitment to excellence that extends beyond their business into their charitable endeavors, and its pieces have been featured on red carpets, worn by royalty, celebrities and more.
In addition to overseeing the firm’s operations, Chagit manages the Leviev Group USA investments in real estate, technology companies and various ventures that not only bring financial success but also contribute to its broader mission of supporting the community. For both, success is not only measured by profits but by the impact they can make in the lives of others. In this regard, their time is closely intertwined with their philanthropic goals. As Chagit says, “I learned from my father that with philanthropy, it’s not just about writing checks. It’s about being involved from A to Z in projects that we care about.”
“I’ve been deeply inspired by the philanthropy of my father-in-law, and the way he motivates others to give,” Greg shared. “Every time he donates a significant contribution to a worthy cause or establishes a new initiative, something remarkable happens—new donors step forward, inspired by his generosity. This ripple effect allows him to double his impact and foster a culture of giving. It’s a model we’ve embraced in shaping our own efforts, and we continue to witness the incredible results it brings.”
Even with their demanding careers and the responsibilities of raising their five children, the couple’s commitment to community service is unwavering. Greg, for example, is a dedicated volunteer with Hatzalah of Queens, the Jewish emergency medical volunteer organization, and has personally saved lives during his service. His passion for helping others is contagious, inspiring the couple’s friends, business associates and clients to become involved in charitable efforts. This hands-on approach to philanthropy resonates deeply with those around them, as Greg has shown others that true giving extends beyond financial contributions.
Chagit Leviev’s Philanthropic Mission: A Legacy of Giving and Impact
As a dedicated philanthropist and leader, Chagit serves on the boards of numerous organizations that align with her passions. With a heart for causes close to her, Chagit has championed initiatives that advance women in business, provide education and resources for underserved communities and offer aid during crises. Her approach to philanthropy blends her family’s legacy of giving with her personal vision of fostering unity, empowerment and resilience.
One area that she is particularly passionate about is advancing the role of women in business. Chagit understands the unique challenges women face in the professional world, particularly in the male-dominated fields of finance and entrepreneurship. Through organizations like ‘The Jewish Women Entrepreneurs’ (JWE), she has worked tirelessly to support women in business by offering mentorship, organizing annual conferences and providing workshops and resources that empower women to succeed. She is also an active member of Batsheva, an organization that offers motivational support to empower accomplished career women.
In addition, Chagit serves on the advisory board of ‘Ezras Nashim,’ a pioneering organization that provides emergency medical services to women by women. Her involvement was inspired by a personal incident that underscored the critical need for women-centered emergency medical care. The organization was founded by Judge Ruchie Frier- the first Chassidic female judge in the United States, and it aims to address the cultural challenges that prevent women from seeking medical help from male volunteers.
Chagit’s commitment to giving back extends to her heritage, specifically her work with the Bucharian Jewish community, a vibrant group with close to 400,000 members worldwide. Her father’s vision for helping this community began over 25 years ago when he founded the ‘World Bukharian Congress’ to support Bukharian immigrants and unite them as a community. The organization provided scholarships, welfare services and created a sense of community among immigrants who had little to nothing when they arrived in Israel and the United States.
Building on her father’s legacy, Chagit serves as the President of the ‘Jewish Institute of Queens’ (JIQ), which provides sponsored Jewish education to children in need. The school, which started with just a handful of students, has grown to accommodate over 1,000 students at any given time, from preschool to high school. Chagit’s role is hands-on, ensuring the school’s continued success and overseeing its daily operations. The school’s growing operation and expansion, along with the establishment of a third location and the largest summer camp in Queens, reflects her dedication to preserving Jewish education and community support.
In addition to her ongoing charitable efforts, Chagit has been heavily involved in supporting those affected by the recent crisis in Israel through the Leviev Foundation. Following the outbreak of the war on October 7, they mobilized new initiatives to support families who had been displaced by the conflict, arranging for food cards, ice cream trucks and other forms of relief to help families get back on their feet. In her words, “Helping these families in their greatest time of need has been an emotional and necessary response.”
She is also proud to be an advocate for Israel on the global stage, attending numerous events at the United Nations and other international forums to raise awareness and support for the country. She extends her influence to the digital realm as a social media personality followed by tens of thousands of followers, actively involving her audience in philanthropic endeavors that she is involved with, and is a sought after speaker for women. As Chagit shares, “True accomplishment in life is not only about building your own success but about helping others, paying it forward and making an impact in people’s lives. That’s where real happiness lies.”
