Federation’s annual meeting features awards, elections By Carl Zebrowski Editor
The presentation of three major awards highlighted of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Community Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 8. The night began with an Israeli-style picnic featuring hummus, falafel and other kosher specialties catered by Dror Levi, who runs the food truck that used to be parked in the JCC’s Tilghman Street lot. After dinner, Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation, welcomed the crowd, and the award presentations followed. The three winners are well-known faces in the community: Fay Kun, Rachel Levin and Aaron Gorodzinsky. Kun received the Mortimer S. Schiff Award for Prejudice Reduction, given to a community member committed to spreading and teaching tolerance by word and action. Kun teaches students about the Holocaust and provides exhibits and artifacts that travel to schools throughout the Lehigh Valley. “Her message is simple,” Zimmerman said: “step up to stop bullying and other forms of ostracizing that can lead to greater terrors over time.” The focal point of Kun’s educational talks is her mother’s story of surviving
the Nazi camps as a teenager. “With antisemitism on the rise,” Zimmerman said, “this is an increasingly important time to educate and share this message.” Lauren Rabin, last year’s winner of the George Feldman Achievement Award for Young Leadership, presented this award to Rachel Levin. Levin’s involvement with the Federation began in 2016-17, when she participated in the leadership program Israel Next Door. Since then, she has been a member of the Federation’s board of directors and of the board of the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy. She chaired the 2022 Women’s Philanthropy Chanukah Party and participated in the 2022 Momentum trip to Israel. “The Chanukah party was so much fun,” said Rabin. Levin recently led the Women’s Philanthropy Dignity Grows initiative to pack totes full of essential hygiene supplies for women in need. Working with Jewish Family Service and a sorority from Lehigh University, Federation volunteers filled and delivered 300 totes. Zimmerman presented the Mark L. Goldstein Award for Jewish Communal professionals, established in 2019 in memory of the longtime Federation executive director. It went to Aaron Gorodzinsky, the Fed-
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eration’s director of campaign and security planning. “Aaron engages, motivates and serves our community with an open heart” said Zimmerman, mentioning that she was getting verklempt as she spoke about her second-incommand on the Federation staff. “He lives with a strong, personal vision and has committed himself to Jewish communal service, and our community is the lucky beneficiary.” Front row, from left: Rachel Levin with her Feldman Award, Fay Kun with her Schiff Award Gorodzinsky has a and Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Federation. Back row, from left: Aaron long list of credits in the Gorodzinsky with his Goldstein Award and Robert Wax, Federation board president. community to his name, including managing portion of the meeting with ed in were Ross Born, presithe Federation’s 2023 Annual Gary Fromer, chairman of the dent; Lenny Abrams, Wendy Campaign for Jewish Needs; nominating committee and Born, Danny Cohen, Barnet organizing the Main Event immediate past president of Fraenkel, Murray Goodman with the comedian Modi; the Federation, officiating. and Bobby Hammel, vice helping the Jewish agencies Dr. Eric Fels was voted onto presidents; and Roberto Fissecure government security the board for a two-year chmann, treasurer. grants; planning the Sumterm. Bruce Reich, Vickie Zimmerman paid tribute mit to Combat Antisemitism; Semmel and Debi Wiener to three longtime fixtures in managing the Maimonides received three-year terms. the community who were Society of health-care profesOfficers voted onto the board retiring or moving on to new sionals; implementing the were Iris Epstein, treasurer; positions: Amy Golding, Shine a Light campaign in Beth Kozinn, secretary; departing head of school at cooperation with the mayors Aliette Abo, Dr. Bill Markson the Jewish Day School; Rabbi of Easton, Bethlehem, and and Dr. Israel Zighelboim, Melody Davis, retiring rabbi Allentown; spearheading par- vice presidents; and Robby of Congregation Bnai Shalom; ticipation in the Pennsylvania Wax, president. and Vikki Dunn, retiring Jewish Coalition; and workBob Grey; Nati Lerner, the executive director of Congreing with the clergy of the Mayor of Yoav, Israel; Rita gation Keneseth Israel. Bethlehem Interfaith Group. Scheller; and Jean Weiner “We really are a blessed Elections for Federation were reelected to the honorcommunity,” said board members and officers ary board. Zimmerman. wrapped up the business Honorary board officers vot-