08/05/2024
Recognizing Outstanding Leaders: Volunteer Leadership Awards
Each year, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland recognizes extraordinary volunteers for the impact they make on our community.
If you know of someone that’s deserving of recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more about the following awards now: Charles Eisenman Award, Ruby Bass Challenge Award, Gries Family Award, Lois Marcus Leadership Award, Irene Zehman Volunteer Award, Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Young Leadership Award, and Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf Young Campaigner of the Year Award.
Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Young Leadership Award
What is the Award?
- The Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award is Federation’s top young leadership award, replacing the Marvin and Milton Kane Award and previous to that the Ed Baker Award which had been given annually since the early 1960’s.
- The Yanowitz Award was established by the Yanowitzes in 1996. This award’s focus on young leaders is indicative of the profound commitment to the Cleveland Jewish Community by Bennett z"l and Donna Yanowitz.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- An individual, age 40 or under (as of June 30 of the year the award is presented).
- The nominee should have taken an active interest and shown leadership potential and significant achievement in the activities of the Federation, and have potential for leadership in more than one area of community service.
- The nominee must demonstrate potential for and interest in leadership in national Jewish organizations.
- View a List of Past Recipients
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
- Participation in the Cleveland delegation to the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (award covers up to $5,000), to be used within three years.
- A beautiful piece of art by Nancy Schwartz-Katz that depicts the message of the award inspired from Bennett z"l and Donna Yanowitz.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Nominations for this award are not open at this time.
If you have questions, please contact Susan Hyman at awards@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.
Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf Young Campaigner of the Year Award
What is the Award?
- The Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf Young Campaigner of the Year Award acknowledges young, exemplary leaders of the Federation’s annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.
- The family of Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf permanently endowed the Young Campaigner of the Year Award in 2004 to perpetuate the Federation’s ability to encourage younger people to continue making the campaign a success every year.
- The Wolf Award continues the tradition established by the family of the late M. Edwin Weiner, who created an award in 1981 to honor young campaigners.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- The recipient must be an individual, age 40 or younger (as of June 30 of the year the award is presented).
- The nominee should demonstrate exceptional leadership in the Federation’s annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, and emulates the principles of leadership, dedication and hard work on behalf of others that the Wolf family embodies.
- View a List of Past Recipients
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
- Participation in a Jewish Federation of Cleveland or Jewish Federations of North America mission to Israel (award covers up to $4,000), to be used within three years.
- A hand-calligraphed award.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Nominations for this award are not open at this time.
If you have questions, please contact Susan Hyman at awards@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.
Ruby Bass Challenge Award
What is the Award?
- The Ruby Bass Challenge Award recognizes a Jewish woman who honors Bass’ lifelong passion for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, her commitment to the Lion of Judah Society (women who make an individual gift of $5,000 or more), and fundraises Lion of Judah gifts to support the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.
- The Ruby Bass Challenge Award was established in Ruby Bass’ memory by her son Jonathan, his wife Stephany, and her mother Lenore Kessler z"l.
- Presently, this award is proudly given by Ruby Bass’ family at the annual Lion of Judah Society campaign event.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- This award is given to a female campaigner, who proudly promotes the values of women philanthropists, and secures new Lion of Judah gifts to benefit the Campaign for Jewish Needs.
- The following factors should be considered when identifying a nominee:
- is a Lion of Judah Society donor who plays a vital role in creating social justice, helping the vulnerable, preserving human dignity, and building Jewish identity
- demonstrates service to the Federation and commitment to the Women IN Philanthropy campaign
- person not previously recognized for this honor
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
- Awardee will be presented with a plaque and a donation in their name to the Women IN Philanthropy campaign, funded by the Ruby Bass Challenge Endowment Fund, at the Women IN Philanthropy campaign event.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- The recipient is selected by the Women IN Philanthropy chair, Campaign chairs, and Lion of Judah Society chairs. If you have questions, please contact Jessie Bruder, Women IN Philanthropy senior director, at jbruder@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.
Lois Marcus Leadership Award
What is the Award?
The Lois Marcus Leadership Award will recognize a Lion of Judah Society member that has shown commitment to the Cleveland Jewish community through emerging leadership and volunteerism, and honors Lois’ lifelong passion for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Women IN Philanthropy.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
A Lion of Judah Society member (who became a Lion within the last ten years), who proudly promotes the values of women’s leadership and philanthropy, cares for our community and its future, and leads with integrity, compassion, and kindness.
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
The awardee will be presented with a certificate or artwork, and will have the opportunity to attend JFNA’s International Lion of Judah Conference (which occurs every other year) or another comparable conference.
How to Submit a Nomination:
The recipient is selected by the Marcus family, Women IN Philanthropy chair, a Women IN Philanthropy vice chair, and a past Women IN Philanthropy chair.
If you have questions, please contact Jessie Bruder, Women IN Philanthropy senior director, at jbruder@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.
Irene Zehman Volunteer Award
What is the Award?
- The Irene Zehman Volunteer Award recognizes a Jewish woman or group of women whose efforts on behalf of the Cleveland Jewish and/or general community have not been previously recognized, and who demonstrates the highest ideals and practices of volunteer service.
- The Irene Zehman Volunteer Award was established in 1980 by Roslyn Z. Wolf and Judith Z. Sherman, both of blessed memory, in loving memory of their mother, Irene Zehman, who personified the attributes this award celebrates.
- Presently, this award is given by Irene’s proud granddaughters, Charna Sherman and Nancy Wolf, and great granddaughter, Sydney Silverstein.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- This award is for volunteer, direct service only – paid employees are not eligible.
- The following factors should be considered and addressed in the written nomination:
- scope and strength of service to the community
- impact on the community
- extent of ingenuity and creativity
- depth of commitment
- person or program not previously recognized for this service
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
- Awardee(s) will be presented with a certificate and a check to her/their favorite charity at the Women IN Philanthropy annual event.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Nominations for this award are not open at this time.
For more information, please contact Lana Kolchinsky at lkolchinsky@jewishcleveland.org.
Gries Family Award
What is the Award?
- The Gries awardee each year is someone who has demonstrated leadership in Federation activities as well as significant leadership in Greater Cleveland’s general community.
- The Gries family created this award based upon the belief “that the strength of the Cleveland Jewish community will be greatly enhanced by programs, projects and leadership which value with equal fervor the building and providing of service to our Federation and the general Greater Cleveland community in which we reside.”
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- Nominees may be Jewish men or women, of any age.
- Exhibit specific impactful volunteer involvement and/or involvement at a leadership level such as board chair, officer, or committee chair in the both the Jewish and general communities.
- Demonstrating the importance of improving and bringing together both the Jewish and general communities through his or her innovative leadership.
- View a list of Past Recipients
What Will the Award Recipient Receive?
- The Gries Award statue with a dedication plaque created by a local artist.
- The recipient will have a monetary gift made in his or her honor to one or more qualified not-for-profit organizations of his or her choice.
- The opportunity to educate others about the importance of leadership involvement in both the Jewish and general communities, the award winner will also speak to community groups throughout the year.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Nominations for this award are not open at this time.
If you have questions, please contact Susan Hyman at awards@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2914.
Charles Eisenman Award: Our Highest Civic Honor
What is the Award?
- The Charles Eisenman Award, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s highest civic honor, was first awarded in 1924 by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to recognize individuals or organizations for exceptional civic contributions.
- The award was established in 1923 in memory of Charles Eisenman, the first president of the Federation. Mr. Eisenman served as president until his death in March 1923.
- Charles Eisenman was born in 1865 in New York and moved to Cleveland as a young man, where he became a successful clothing manufacturer. A product of the Progressive Era, he brought to his business endeavors the belief in the oneness of business and social action, according to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. He retired in 1906 to devote his energies to philanthropy. He was also an organizer and active member of the Cleveland Community Fund Council until his death.
Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?
- The recipient can be a person, a group of people, or not-for-profit organization that demonstrates outstanding contributions to the community.
- The following factors may be considered:
- impact on the quality of life for residents of Greater Cleveland
- impact on the work of non-profit social service and educational organizations
- effectiveness in creating coalitions and/or inspiring others to action
- level of volunteer and/or philanthropic commitment - The award has come to recognize an individual’s or group’s overall and ongoing impact and contributions, as opposed to a single contribution.
- View a list of Past Recipients
What Will the Award Recipient(s) Receive?
- The award presented at the annual meeting includes a hand-calligraphied, framed plaque with the citation and a monetary grant from the Federation to a charitable cause of the recipient’s choosing.
- The recipient is honored at an invitation-only dinner (for Federation officers, life trustees and executive committee) preceding the Federation’s annual meeting.
How to Submit a Nomination:
- Nominations for this award are not open at this time.
If you have questions, please contact Susan Hyman at awards@jewishcleveland.org.
