Ervin Donsky was born in Dallas in 1916. He founded Sterling Wholesale Jewelers in 1949 and was involved in a number of Jewish establishments and organizations in Dallas. He helped establish Anne & Nate Levine Academy, the current location of the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas, and Congregation Beth Torah. He was also involved with Shearith Israel, Tiferet Israel, Agudas Achim, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, Golden Acres, Jewish Family Service, Dallas Citizen Charter Organization, and the National Council for Christians and Jews.

He was interviewed on August 15, 1993 by Ginger Jacobs.