Sam Lejfer ’11 had a problem: faced with multiple food allergies and chronic health conditions, he was searching for an ice cream brand that was allergen-free, delicious, and maybe even healthy. Since he couldn’t find one, Sam started researching ingredients and discovered hemp, a nutritious, sustainable, allergen-free crop. He knew it was his lucky day.
That’s how Lucky Day, Sam’s dairy-free and certified kosher pareve ice cream company, was born. With flavors like sunflower chip, snickerdoodle, and chocolate fudge, Sam knew he was onto something, but he wasn’t content simply to make delicious cream. Guided by the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world), Sam built his company around environmental and health consciousness. Lucky Day’s facility produces zero food waste and uses only organic ingredients and plastic-free, home-compostable packaging.
Sam’s commitment to tikkun olam extends even further. As a member of Tufts University’s Food Innovation Council—a major career accomplishment—he is working toward the creation of a global food system that provides equitable access to nutritious food. On a personal level, Sam says that “committing to a lifestyle of eating organic, minimally processed foods turned my life around.”
To build the Lucky Day brand, Sam has the help of his siblings (and fellow Gann alumni): Hannah ’07 and Polly ’15 assist in the kitchen and share feedback on the product, while Ben ’09 helps with strategy. Sam also received support from Avi Foint, Gann’s Director of Food Services, who helped him with the process of getting a hechsher (a rabbinical endorsement indicating that a food item complies with Jewish dietary laws) to certify his ice cream as kosher pareve.
Now, Sam is focused on getting his “food-as-medicine” message out into the world and his pints into the freezers of conscientious consumers. “If [Lucky Day] makes my community think more about where their food comes from and what they put in their bodies,” he says, “I’ve done my job.”
Want a taste of Lucky Day ice cream? Join us at Gann’s 2nd Annual Alumni Day on June 8, 2025, where Sam will be serving up his delicious, dairy-free treats. Amy Woogmaster ’07 Alumni Profile
Amy knew she wanted to be a teacher long before it became her profession. In fact, as early as elementary