May 31, 2002/Sivan 20 5762, Vol. 54, No. 37
Honoring our ownAJC recognizes local leaders of national Jewish organizations
Local Jewish professionals are being honored by the American Jewish Committee for their contributions to the Valley's Jewish community. They will be recognized at the AJC's annual meeting and board installations on June 2. What follows are brief profiles of the 11 honorees and their organizations based on questionnaires furnished by Jewish News.Carrol Gottfried, Southwest director American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Tenure: 4 years Organization mission: The American Committee raises money to support the WIS in Rehovot, Israel, one of the world's foremost centers of scientific and graduate study. Scientists pursue basic research in the quest for knowledge to enhance the quality of human life. New ways of fighting disease, protecting the environment, and harnessing alternative sources of energy are priorities at Weizmann. Why did you accept your current position? I was a director at the Greater Philadelphia Federation and wanted a life change. I knew about the impact of the research at Weizmann and wanted to be part of its mission. Career highlight: Meeting people who make a difference in this world. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? I am proud to be part of such a devoted and creative community. Hometown: Philadelphia Current city of residence: Fountain Hills Spouse: David Children: Brian, Andrew, Nicole, Tara, Phillip, and two grandchildren, Aleah and Tyler Synagogue: Unaffiliated Bill Straus, Arizona regional director Anti-Defamation League Tenure: 14 months Organization mission: The ADL mission is, in a nutshell, "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens alike." But ADL's mission extends to a variety of areas, including: educating our young people about the value and benefits of our multicultural society through the Classroom of Difference(tm) program; working hand-in-hand with law enforcement to help reduce the threat and dangers of extremists and hate groups; and advocating on behalf of Israel and its survival. Why did you accept your current position? I not only wanted to accept it, I pursued it with gusto. This was an opportunity to work for one of those organizations for which I had long held the deepest respect. I saw it as an opportunity to right wrongs. Career highlight? My career in ADL is a mere 14 months old. The highlight has been my involvement with the young people who attended ADL's Youth Leadership Mission to Washington, D.C., and the Holocaust Museum. These students were so deeply touched and changed by that experience and that, in turn, has deeply touched me, as has their continuing involvement with the ADL. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? My position with ADL has most definitely enhanced my own sense of being Jewish. I have always been involved in the community-at-large. And I have never ever been anything but proud to be a Jew. But my involvement in the Jewish community specifically has increased a great deal since I took this job and that has been a source of tremendous satisfaction and pride for me. Hometown: Phoenix Current city of residence: Phoenix Single Children: Jennifer, 27, and Charlie, 23 Synagogue: Temple Beth Israel Herman Brown, national representative in Arizona Jewish Labor Committee Tenure: 2 years in Arizona and 14 years as director in New England Organization mission: Strengthen understanding and mutual support between the Jewish community and the labor movement. Why did you accept your current position? To continue my work as a volunteer after retiring in Arizona. Career highlight: For current position - helped to establish an Arizona chapter of JLC; representing JLC on the general board of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? Working with different segments of the Jewish community has strengthened my support and concern for Jews of all persuasions, including Jews in other lands, especially in Israel. Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Current city of residence: Sun Lakes Spouse: Anita Children: Lori, Kenneth and Terri Synagogue: Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Jody Goldman, executive director Hadassah Valley of the Sun Tenure: 1999-present Also, field consultant in the Dallas Chapter of Hadassah, 1995-1999 Organization mission: Hadassah - the Women's Zionist Organization of America - is the largest women's and largest Jewish membership organization in the United States. In Israel, it supports medical care and research, education and youth institutions. In the United States, Hadassah promotes health education, social action and advocacy, volunteerism, Jewish education and research and connections with Israel. Why did you accept your current position? I accepted the position of executive director for the newly formed Hadassah Valley of the Sun Chapter because of my belief in the organization's mission, as well as for the opportunity to work with the key leadership in melding two chapters into one cohesive unit. Career highlight: The highlight of my Hadassah career was representing the chapter at the national convention held in Jerusalem last summer. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? Working for Hadassah has increased my awareness of the importance of being a part of the Jewish community, not only locally but also nationally and internationally. In addition, my position has given me the opportunity to connect with Israel and strengthen my Zionist identity. Hometown: Chicago Current city of residence: Scottsdale Spouse: Jay Goldman Children: Abby and Nathan Synagogue: Temple Chai Cathy Wolf, director Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Tenure: Returned in September 2001, after a four-year absence from the position; previously held the position for three years. Organization mission: The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is a department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix uniquely tasked with the responsibility of joining in partnership with all of the Jewish community agencies, organizations and synagogues to create an advocacy framework for dealing with issues on Israel, education, legislation and social action within the community, while reaching out to the larger non-Jewish community. Why did you accept your current position? It was time to get back into Jewish communal work after four years away. I felt that I could bring a new perspective to the position. Career highlight? Director of Shalom: The Welcome Center in Chicago, welcoming new immigrants from the former Soviet Union; and taking part in Interfaith Missions to Israel. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? Beginning with working in the JCC field just out of college when my identity was really being shaped, my professional work has been centered in the Jewish community. Using that strong identity allows me to understand our community and build relationships with other groups. Hometown: Chicago Current city of residence: Phoenix Not married Children: 3 boys, ages 16, 20 and 23 Synagogue: Unaffiliated Mark Shore, president/CEO Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center Tenure: 4 years Organization Mission: The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center is an interactive, multi-generational neighborhood gathering place, offering individuals, families and the community the opportunity to grow in their understanding and appreciation of Jewish traditions, values and ethics. Why did you accept your current position? I accepted my current position because of the great opportunity to work with a great group of individuals, as we plan and develop the JCC on the new Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Career highlight: The greatest pleasure I have had was watching my son grow up in the JCC, starting from preschool, after-school and Sunday activities, JCC Camps and JCC Maccabi Games. Many of his best friends are those he met through the JCC. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? Being a Jewish communal professional has helped me learn more about the workings of the Jewish community (both locally, nationally, and internationally), and this has always helped me steer the JCC to become an agency that helps others build their Jewish identity. Hometown: Philadelphia Current city of residence: Scottsdale Spouse: Jan Children: Eric Synagogue: Temple Chai Ilene Blau, executive director Tri-City Jewish Community Center Tenure: 16 years Why did you accept your current position? After I enrolled my 4-year-old son in the JCC preschool, I became involved in the Early Childhood Committee and eventually was asked to sit on the Board of Managers and then the Executive Board. Just as my son was about to graduate from kindergarten, I was approached to become the next branch director. I was planning to return to work full time, and the opportunity to continue my involvement with an organization I felt had such a positive impact on my life was very appealing. Career highlight: The establishment of the Tri-City JCC as an autonomous agency was a definite career highlight. In 1989, the development from a branch of the JCCs of Greater Phoenix was a definite challenge. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? My involvement in Jewish life has expanded beyond my immediate family to include many Jewish friends and a rich and meaningful observance of Jewish holidays and lifecycle events. I have developed a solid understanding of how I am connected to the Jewish community in which I live, as well as that of my country, Israel and elsewhere. Three wonderful trips to Israel have had a profound effect on how I view the situation in the Middle East and the bonds that I, as a Jewish woman, have with Israel and the Jewish people. Hometown: Phoenix Current city of residence: Tempe Spouse: Alan Children: Kim, Terri and Aaron Synagogue: Temple Emanuel of Tempe Ted Kort, regional director Jewish National Fund Tenure: 4 years Organization Mission: Jewish National Fund is the caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners - Jewish people everywhere. Why did you accept your current position? I was ready for a career change, and thought my years of being a volunteer would be helpful as an agency professional. Career highlight: Our first-ever fund-raising campaign in 1998. It showed we would be successful with future campaigns. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? It has made me more knowledgeable and appreciative of what the people of Israel have to endure. Hometown: Kansas City, Miss. Current city of residence: Scottsdale Spouse: Elaine Children: Bryan and Rob Synagogue: Temple Chai Tina Sheinbein, former executive director State of Israel Bonds - Development Corporation for Israel Tenure: January 1998-February 2002 (when the local Israel Bonds office closed) Organization mission: International securities organization selling investment in the State of Israel. Why did you accept your current position? I have always been a Zionist and this was one important and significant way I could contribute on a daily basis to the building of the state of Israel. Career highlight? Taking the Phoenix area sale of bonds from $1 million to $3 million, and meeting Israeli dignitaries. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? I came to this position with a strong Jewish identity. It has helped me to help others create their Jewish identity. Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Current city of residence: Phoenix Spouse: Irwin Children: Jennifer, 26; Julie, 25; Aaron, 23; and Deborah, 20 Synagogue: Beth Joseph Congregation Rachel Richter, Arizona and southern Nevada area director The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Tenure: 9 months Organization mission: AIPAC is America's pro-Israel lobby. AIPAC lobbies the U.S. Congress on all pro-Israel legislation, ensuring that the U.S-Israel relationship remains strong and that Israel is strong enough to meet the ongoing challenges facing her. Why did you accept your current position? Before taking this position, I worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix as the director of Young Leadership Division. After my two-year tenure, I was ready to take my skills and passion for the Jewish community to a new position. Career highlight: I would have to say organizing our annual meeting on May 5. More than 500 community members joined together to learn about the current situation in Israel and the crucial role played by the U.S. Congress. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? I spent two years of my childhood living in Israel with my family. My father is buried there. I will always have a strong connection to Israel. By working with AIPAC, I am doing my part to ensure that our Jewish homeland will always exist and that I will always have a place to visit my father. Hometown: Cherry Hill, N.J. Current city of residence: Phoenix Not married No children Synagogue: Har Zion Congregation Rabbi Barton Lee, executive director Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University Tenure: 30 years Organization mission: Our job is to provide a warm, welcoming Jewish atmosphere on the campus for Jewish students and reach out to them with a wide variety of programs, running from religious observance through Israel activism through social events. Why did you accept your current position? I interviewed in several congregations and they wanted a rabbi to do this and a rabbi to do that and a rabbi to do something else. They basically wanted a rabbi to be the moshiach (messiah). I came to ASU. I sat with students and they all said they wanted a rabbi - not some messianic figure. Career highlight: I really enjoy being on campus with the students. Sometimes it is teaching. Sometimes it is sitting around shmoozing. Sometimes it is recruiting. How has your position influenced your Jewish identity? I think there is a tremendous advantage in trying to serve the entire Jewish community. One gets a more global perspective. My work at Hillel has allowed me to be more traditional and more creative. The opportunity to interact with students of different backgrounds and in the community context with Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews has been very broadening in terms of my own perspectives on Judaism. Hometown: San Antonio Current city of residence: Tempe Spouse: Marcie Children: Noam and Nira Synagogue: Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler and Temple Emanuel of Tempe
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