Paul Resnick wins 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award for Excellence

Paul Resnick has helped several local Jewish organizations navigate the tax-exempt financing process for capital projects. He chaired a committee for the JCC of San Francisco (JCCSF), which guided a tax-exempt bond financing as part of the Center's plan to create a stable financial future in its new facility. Paul served as the Center's Board president from 2001 to 2004, during which time the new center was opened. Today, he serves as chair of the JCCSF's Bond and Investment Committee, on its Audit Committee and as president of its supporting foundation at the Federation's JCEF. Paul has also been involved with other organizations doing tax-exempt bond financing, including the Albert L. Schultz JCC, the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the India Community Center in Milpitas and chairs the Investment Committee of the North Peninsula Jewish Campus. He also has served as Board president of Jewish Family & Children's Services and as a Board member of other community organizations. According to a staff person at the JCCSF, "Paul commits himself totally to any project he takes on. He is truly an exemplary volunteer leader."

Past recipients

Sandy Tandowsky, Galina Leytes, Barbara Farber, Kathy Roberts Williams, Barry Cohn, Mark Schickman, Ann Bear, Toby Rubin, Gale Mondry, Debra Trubowitch Cohn, Paul Cohen, Barney Cohen, Dr. Emanuel (Manny) Friedman, Gertrude Wasserman, Eve Bernstein

Flora Kupferman of the Bureau of Jewish Education wins 2007 Agency Staff Person of the Year Award for Excellence

For the past 18 years, Flora Kupferman’s leadership, creativity and tireless commitment have ensured that all Jewish children have the chance to learn about Judaism and develop a Jewish identity. In her role as Special Education Consultant at the BJE, Flora works closely with parents, teachers, rabbis, school directors and lay leaders, and collaborates with various agencies to provide resources and referrals. Programs focus on children with a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, the entire spectrum of Asperger’s Syndrome to autism, cerebral palsy and more. Of particular note has been her creation of the Shabbat Weekend for Jewish Children with Disabilities and their Families, now in its sixth year at Camp Newman. In the words of one who works closely with Flora, “She is unwilling to accept that there are any Jewish children who cannot be given a Jewish education. Every child counts. Every child belongs.”

Past recipients

Michael Kamler, Judith Edelson, Yitsak Santis and Steve Berley, Bina Guerrieri, Chaim Heller, Jay Luxemberg, M.D., Kerin Leiberman, Esther Nathan, Judy Garb, Mickey Naggar Bourne, Sherrie Koshover

Dawne Bear Novicoff, Israel & Overseas Director wins 2007 JCF Staff Person of the Year Award for Excellence

It is with great pride and exuberance that we acknowledge and recognize Dawne Bear Novicoff and congratulate her as our Staff Person of the Year. Dawne has exhibited the best of who we are and the best of what we are accomplishing here at the Federation. She has worked tirelessly over this past year and over the past nine years in raising the bar of JCF professionalism. She is a talented, skilled, thoughtful and strategic thinking person leading one of our most active and involved committee of lay leaders in the pursuit of bridging the work of the Federation in Israel to all of us here at home.

Past recipients

Maxine Epstein, Lita Punzalan, Wendy Rothenberg, Lisa Tabak, Lisa Gurwitch, Gila Noam, Elle Hoffnagel, Carolyn Metz, Suzan Berns, Cynthia Rogoway, Bob Griepenburg, Nechama Tamler, Mairin O’Mahony

Communities of Learning wins 2007 Program of the Year Award for Excellence

Started 11 years ago, Communities of Learning is a program of Jewish study that helps women in Marin County become more involved in their Jewish community. Designed to bring women together while building Jewish identity, the program draws participants from various Jewish backgrounds who want to study Torah and Jewish text together. It has proven to be an effective model for community building and outreach, this visionary program was designed to strengthen Jewish identity, increase active involvement in the community and build strong donor loyalty and philanthropic support for the long term. In the words of one participant, “This is a wonderful, creative way to build and foster Jewish identity and enrich lives for the Jewish women of Marin County.”

Past Recipients

JVS Kohn Summer Intern Program, Jewish Coaltion for Literacy, Israel in the Gardens/Ballpark, The Late Shabbat Congregation Emanu-El, Survivors Speakers’ Bureau—Holocaust Center of Northern California, Family Education Fellows, Grief and Growing: a Healing Weekend for Individuals and Families, Jewish Film Festival, Sunday Coalition Lunch at Kol Shofar, San Francisco High School Chavurah, Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camps, Art for Recovery, Chicken Soupers—Meal Delivery to Persons with AIDS, MAJYC, One-to-One Volunteer Program

Helen Diller wins 2007 Visionary Leader Award for Excellence

Helen Diller has made an extraordinary commitment to the future of the Jewish people. The programs she and her family’s foundation have funded cover a broad spectrum, ensuring that many aspects of Jewish life receive support. Significant programs and buildings include: Diller Teen Fellows program (now expanding nationally and in Israel); Tikkun Olam Awards; Tzvata Young Adults program; Helen Diller Family Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education; Helen Diller Family Traveling Exhibition Grants; Helen Diller Family Annual Lecture Series; a permanent, biennial Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program; Helen Diller Family Jewish Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz; Helen Diller Family Cancer Center at the University of California Medical School, San Francisco; and the Helen Diller Family Humanities Center at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. The foundation has funded many more significant endeavors (buildings, programs and chairs) benefiting residents of the Bay Area and Israel that focus on the arts, medicine, science and higher education. Summing up Helen’s contributions, a member of the Diller Teen Fellows Advisory Committee said, “The community owes Helen and her family a large debt of gratitude.”

Barbara Rosenberg wins 2007 Judith Chapman Women’s Leadership Award for Excellence

The Judith Chapman Women’s Leadership Award of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund is presented at the annual Power of One Gala Dinner. This year, the award was presented to Barbara Rosenberg on March 19, 2007.

Barbara Rosenberg has been a visionary community leader and philanthropist for over 40 years. Through the years, she has demonstrated consistent and creative dedication in leading fundraising efforts for the Jewish and general communities. At the Jewish Community Federation, she has been an indefatigable fundraiser for the Annual Campaign and for the Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE). She has participated in and helped recruit for many Federation sponsored missions to Israel and is at the forefront of the Israel Education Initiative. Barbara believes deeply in Jewish tradition, the value of education and the importance of caring for the vulnerable in our society as is evidenced by her work throughout the community. She has served as president of the Jewish Home and the Bureau of Jewish Education and as a Board member of Lehrhaus Judaica, the Jewish Community High School of the Bay and as a trustee of Brandeis University. She has also served as Library Commissioner for the city of San Francisco and on the advisory boards of the Department of Jewish Studies at Stanford University, San Francisco School Volunteers and Achievement Awards for College Scientists (ARCS).

Past recipients

Sonya “Sunny” Kaplan, Carol Saal, Annette Dobbs, Roselyne Swig, Adele Corvin, Rita Semel, Frances Green, Barbara Isackson

Judith Goldkrand Cheskin wins 2007 Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for Young Leadership Award for Excellence

Judith Goldkrand Cheskin has had a long tenure in the Jewish community. Her leadership on behalf of the Federation has focused on the South Peninsula Women’s Alliance, including president, Campaign chair and vice-chair and Nominating Committee chair. She has also served on the Executive Committee of the Women’s Alliance, including as Campaign vice chair and Lion of Judah chair. Judith has served as a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the United Jewish Communities of North America (UJC), including as Western Region chair. In the greater Jewish community, Judith has served on the Executive Committee and Board of the Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, as chair of the Parent Council of T’enna Preschool at the Albert L. Schultz JCC (and as an active volunteer there) and on the Board of the Mid-Peninsula Jewish Community Day School. Judith is also a Wexner Fellow. In addition, she served on the board of National Council of Jewish Women in New York. According to someone with whom she has volunteered, “Judith is a creative thinker who makes things happen.”

Past recipients

Susie Sorkin, David Agger, Howard Brown, Lawrence Gallant, Josh Smith, Barry Cheskin, Howard Steiermann, Laura Heller Lauder, Steve Kaufman, Ellen Kahn, Richard Seiler, David Steirman, Howard Zack, Debra Pell, Susan Lowenberg, John Goldman, Donald Friend, Judith Zimmerman, Marc Rosenberg, Alan Rothenberg, Steven Zimmerman, Joel Renbaum, M.D., Michael Rubenstein, Randall Dick, Susan Kolb, Ellen Rosen, Don Linker, Joyce Linker, Martin Brotman, M.D., Marilyn Waldman, Edie Culiner, George Frankenstein, Phyllis Cook, Ron Kaufman, Douglas Heller, Jerome Braun, Norman Narin

Ron Kaufman wins 2007 Sinton Award for Distinguished Leader of the Year Award for Excellence

Ron Kaufman has provided leadership to the Jewish Community Federation for many years, starting with his first annual Campaign in 1959. He has worn many hats, including Board president, chair of various Campaign divisions, the overall Campaign, the Israel & Overseas Committee, the Leadership Development Committee and the committee that led to the founding of Menorah Park. He also serves on the Endowment Committee. Ron also has served on the boards of United Jewish Communities of North America (UJC), Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Jewish Family & Children’s Services (local and national), Jewish Vocational Services, AIPAC, the Jewish Agency for Israel, United Way, San Francisco General Hospital, UCSF/Mount Zion, California Pacific Medical Centers and the Bernard Osher Foundation. His firm, The Ron Kaufman Companies, is renowned for its work in historic preservation of architecturally significant San Francisco buildings and has received national and international recognition for its work. In the words of one who has served with Ron for many years, “Our community is much richer for having Ron’s leadership and dedication to guide and inspire us.”

Past recipients

Donald Seiler, Adele Corvin, Gerson Bakar, Peter Haas, Barbara Isackson, Robert M. Levison, Jr., Richard Rosenberg

Sacha Kopin of Contra Costa Midrasha and Temple Sinai Religious School wins 2007 Congregation/ Community School Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

Sacha Kopin describes her work as “saving the world, one child and one family at a time.” She has been on that course for 21 years as a Jewish educator, currently teaching sixth grade, as well as courses at Midrasha in Berkeley, Contra Costa and Oakland and preparing students for b’nai mitzvah at Temple Sinai Religious School. Sacha is a family Jewish guidance counselor who helps families find their own Jewish identity and community. She has received many accolades for her work, including being selected to be a Mandel Teacher Educator Institute Fellow, a Ti-ke-a Fellow, a Koret scholar and an Osher scholar while studying for her M.A. in Jewish studies at the Graduate Theological Union. Sacha has participated in the Center for Jewish Living and Learning’s Special Needs workshops and currently serves on the “5 Things Advisory Group.” Her colleagues laud her compassion and enduring commitment to passing along Jewish thought and values to future generations.

Shirley Goldstein of Yavneh Day School wins 2007 Day School Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

Shirley Goldstein, a University of Jerusalem graduate, immigrated with her husband to America from South Africa in 1999. Since arriving in the U.S., she has been a Hebrew and Judaic Studies teacher at Yavneh Day School, where she also has helped introduce new traditions to school, such as a monthly ritual of blessing the new moon. Her ongoing inspiration is in helping to develop what she calls “Torah minds,” where students learn to see the intersections between Jewish values and the world around them. In addition, Shirley finds that the warm family feeling between colleagues and students at Yavneh is powerful motivation for her continuing commitment to community involvement and Jewish education.

Marni Shapiro of Brandeis Hillel Day School – Marin, wins 2007 Day School Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

In 1978, Marni Shapiro was one of five founding teachers at Brandeis Hillel Day School in Marin County. Drawing upon her extensive background in early childhood education, she created a kindergarten program known for its individualized, child-centered approach. Having studied at San Francisco State University, Marni developed a deep commitment for nurturing, encouraging and challenging the educational, emotional and physical development of all of her students. Brandeis Hillel offered her the opportunity to blend and weave Jewish traditions and culture into every aspect of her integrated curriculum. Marni’s goals continue to focus on guiding young children to make good, ethical choices in their emerging young lives. Establishing strong self respect, as well as a true respect for other cultures, Marni has created an atmosphere of positive Jewish affirmation and a sense of 'globalcitizenship' in her classroom.

Patricia Perez of JCCSF Helen Diller Family Preschool, wins 2007 Early Childhood Education Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

Originally from El Salvador, Patricia immigrated to America 23 years ago and now lives in San Francisco. She has been a preschool teacher at the Helen Diller Family Preschool at the JCC of San Francisco for the past 18 years and describes the rich and growing relationship that has resulted from being part of the Jewish community and its traditions. In her role as teacher, Patricia has brought together children and their families so they too can share in the process of Jewish discovery: learning about and celebrating Shabbat, studying about Israel and more. Patricia found a home and a family at the JCC and discovered a community rich in values, values that she applies everyday to life and to her job, which is her passion. 

Emily Scheinberg of The Contemporary Jewish Museum wins 2007 Informal Education Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

Emily Scheinberg is manager of school and teacher programs at The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM). She first became involved with the CJM as an education and public programs intern while a junior in college. Subsequently, Emily graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a degree in history and the history of art and then went on to intern in the education department at the Whitney Museum of American Art and in the curatorial department of painting and sculpture at SFMOMA. In Emily’s current role, she leads interactive exhibition tours, implements related classroom lessons and art projects and runs the Museum Teaching Fellows professional development program for educators at synagogue schools and day schools. Emily feels very fortunate that through her work, she has been able to unite her passion for art and culture with her commitment to the Jewish community.

Gavriella (Gabi) Lazar, Congregation Emanu-El Youth & Family Education wins 2007 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education

Gabi Lazar was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. Following high school graduation, she served in the Israeli army as a commander with at-risk youth and also taught Hebrew to olim chadashim (new citizens). After the army, Gabi moved to San Francisco to continue her studies in the field of education at City College of San Francisco. She currently is an educator for the 4th and 10th grade classes at Congregation Emanu-El, where she teaches students about the land of Israel and the traditions she grew up with. She is also a substitute teacher at Brandeis Hillel Day School. Not only has she found Emanu-El to be a home-away-from-home, but Gabi relishes the opportunity to advance her personal mission of passing along passion and love for Judaism and being Jewish.