12/09/2024
Federation to Honor Volunteer with Young Campaigner of the Year Award
ABIGAIL PREISZIG | CJN
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
Levine
Ryan Levine has not only been a dedicated young leader at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, but his generosity has also provided him with much in return.
“I’ve gotten more involved in (Federation) every year and it’s become kind of my biggest philanthropic organization outside of work,” Levine, a financial adviser at Creekside Financial Advisors, LLC in Pepper Pike, told the Cleveland Jewish New. “It led me to meet my wife … I certainly made a lot of friends and connections. It’s played a huge role in my life since moving.”
Levine, 37, will receive the 2024 Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf Young Campaigner of the Year Award at the Federation’s 2025 Campaign for Jewish Needs closing celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, at the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School in Beachwood.
The annual award recognizes leadership, dedication and hard work by a young leader on behalf of the Campaign for Jewish Needs.
“I’m very grateful for the Federation and all the work I’ve gotten to do with them over the last seven years since I moved back to Cleveland,” Levine, a Beachwood resident who previously lived in College Park, Md., said. “It’s always nice to get recognition, but I think it’s more about contributing to the greater goal, and for me, it just means that I had a nice impact on the campaign this year.”
Most recently, he co-chaired the campaign’s Super Sunday Kickoff for the first time in September alongside his wife, Arica Jacobson, and returning co-chairs, Gabrielle and Yissachar Jerusalem, the CJN previously reported. The launch raised more than $2 million for the annual campaign.
Levine serves on the board of Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, is a past board chair of the Federation’s Young Leadership Division and a former member the LEADS program and business networking committee.
“I continually look back at the list of those who have won this award and it’s just such an honor to be in their company, but I also think it presents a high bar because the things they’ve gone on to do in the community and Jewish Cleveland, it sets the expectation for me going forward,” Levine, a congregant of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, said.
Past recipients of the Young Campaigner of the Year Award, previously called the M. Edwin Weiner Young Campaigner of the Year Award, include Michael Siegal, Sandy and Tim Wuliger, Rachel Glickman and Jonathon Nisenboum, according to the Federation’s website.
Levine said the Cleveland Jewish community is lucky to have a strong foundation and so many great leaders, but it is important for the next generation to get involved now so when it is their turn to step up, they are prepared.
His advice for young Jewish leaders interested in getting involved is to “give it a shot.”
“Just go to an event or participate in something,” he said. “You can engage on whatever level you want. … There’s no requirement, you can tailor it to your life and your situation. I think that’s one of the things that makes it so great.”
To contribute to the campaign or register for the Campaign Closing Celebration, visit jewishcleveland.org.
