By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews
Rather than have us write about them, we thought we’d let our readers tell their stories:
| Local educator Beth Huppin, “for her devotion to her students, young and old.”
| Cantor David Serkin-Poole of Temple B’nai Torah, “champion of the disabled, fighter for civil rights, biggest heart in Seattle.”
| The Union for Reform Judaism Camp Kalsman’s David Berkman “is an amazing Jewish camp director and he’s teaching Jewish values and morals to the leaders in our community!”
| On Rob Jacobs, executive director of the Northwest office of Israel advocacy organization StandWithUs: “It’s tough to be the conscience of the community and to be the one person who’s out there trying to bring people together to talk, to listen, to understand each other on a difficult — often conflict-ravaged topic. Rob Jacobs is all about fairness, listening, convening community to make it stronger, more inclusive and more tolerant. He’s not about a political or ideological agenda other than strengthening and supporting the Jewish community.”
| Hen Mazzig, who came to Seattle from Israel as a six-month liaison for StandWithUs Northwest and never left: “Standing up for Israel wherever and whenever needed.”
| “Dorothy Kahn. She is the youth adviser for Temple Beth Am, as well as running our very large madrich [counselor] program. Always does an excellent job, cares about all the kids in the program. Always tries to make a spot for everyone so they can be in the program.”
| Local chef and caterer Eli Varon. “Not only does he prepare fantastic food for Sephardic Bikur Holim family events, he always does special things for the children, and devotes a lot of time to make Sephardic Adventure Camp a great place for youth. Whenever possible he involves kids in preparing for these events…. He does not rest on his laurels. He is constantly in motion, multi-tasking to keep up with the calendar of simchas.”
| On Ari Hoffman, co-director of the youth group NCSY. “I talk to him about everything and really know he has my best interests in mind. He’s more than just a director for us, he’s a mentor. I really think that if I hadn’t met him or gotten involved with NCSY two years ago I would have never switched to NYHS.”
| Rabbi Bernie Fox, head of school at Northwest Yeshiva High School. “Despite all the financial challenges that Jewish day schools face, Rabbi Fox has been able to keep the NYHS as the best Jewish high school in the Northwest. He doesn’t back down in the face of adversity…. He is a hero in my book.”
| Coach Jed Davis of Northwest Yeshiva High School: “The first coach to get a Jewish girls’ team to the state championship. He has also fought a lot of anti-Semitism in high school athletics.”
| Josh Gortler, former CEO of the Caroline Kline Galland Center nursing and senior living facility, and now president of the Kline Galland Foundation. “I can’t say enough about Kline Galland and Josh’s leadership.”
| Larry Broder, who recently retired as executive director of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, “because he gave 20 years of wonderful, selfless service to our largest congregation.”
| Ken Weinberg, who retired from Jewish Family Service last year after 35 years with the organization, more than 20 of those years as its leader, “for his love and devotion to JFS.”
| Rabbi Will Berkovitz, who succeeded Weinberg as CEO at JFS, for “living his passion and values every day.”
| Zach Carstensen, director of government relations and public affairs for the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, for his “activism and social justice.”
| Rabbi Oren Hayon, executive director of Hillel at the University of Washington. “He rescued me from trouble.”
| Rabbi Moshe Kletenik: “18 years of service as BCMH rabbi. World-renowned Torah scholar. Continues to serve Seattle as av beit din of the Seattle Vaad.”
| Rivy Poupko Kletenik, head of school at Seattle Hebrew Academy and JTNews columnist: “From adult women’s Talmud classes to children’s well-rounded education, she digs deep into tradition and connects with everyone.”
| Zach Duitch, program director for the Stroum Jewish Community Center: “He’s a mensch. Always puts his community and organization first and he doesn’t get enough recognition for his efforts. The J would not do as well as they do without him.”
| Community member Lea Hanan. “She donated a kidney to her father a few years ago but didn’t stop there. She is an active kidney donation advocate who helps promote kidney donation. She has been instrumental in helping many folks decide to donate their kidneys.”
| Community member Margot Kravette, who offers support to Jewish patients at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, “for her work with very ill Jews who come to town.”
| Community member Patty Fleischmann “for the work she is doing at Stolen Youth.”
| Community member and artist Phil Flash: “Always giving of himself, never asking for anything in return — a genuinely gentle soul.”