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December 10, 2004/Kislev 27 5765, Vol. 57, No.15
Federation lauds volunteers
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
A program providing services to Jewish elderly in 25 local senior facilities received recognition Dec. 1 at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix annual meeting.
Al Tashlicheynu, or "Do Not Forsake Us," was started six years ago at Temple Kol Ami to provide Jewish services to senior residents in local independent living, assisted living and skilled care facilities. More than 300 residents participate each month, and temple members of all ages volunteer - religious school students create cards for the New Year, prepare shaloch manos bags for Purim and make matzo packs for Passover.
The award, The Belle Latchman Community Service Award, is named after the federation's first woman president.
After accepting the award with Kol Ami Rabbi Jordan Goldson and member Susan Engle, Al Tashlicheynu founder Hannah Adelman said, "This is a very prestigious award and we treasure it."
The federation presented Sandra Sheinbein the Medal of Honor award for her many years of community service. Her daughter Rachel surprised Sheinbein by flying into Phoenix from San Francisco to present her mother with the award, as well as with a touching tribute.
Sheinbein is one of the founders of the Phoenix Hebrew Academy - "I remember when the Phoenix Hebrew Academy first opened its doors," she told the audience. She also remembers when the Bureau of Jewish Education - now a full-fledged federation agency with six staff members - was a federation committee, and recalls the interview process for the first rabbi at Hillel at Arizona State University. (Rabbi Barton Lee, who is still Hillel's rabbi, was present at the meeting).
Other volunteers were also recognized for their contributions.
Ken Feldman, who received the Sy Clark Young Leadership Award, is the president of Kivel Campus of Care and a board member of the federation, the Young Leadership Division and the United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet.
Hannah Romberg Goldberg, also a member of the UJC cabinet, received the Lee Amada Young Leadership Award. She is the vice president of campaign for YLD.
Ruth Storch, a senior at Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School, was recognized for receiving the Anne Frank "Make a Difference" Award for her numerous volunteer activities. A separate ceremony was held in May.
All three of the young leaders commended their parents for being outstanding role models who taught them the importance of volunteering in their community.
Federation president Lanny Lahr thanked outgoing president Vicki Cabot, a Jewish News contributing editor, and outgoing General Campaign chairwoman Mim Bottner for their service.
The meeting, chaired by Rana and Joe Schwartz, started with a performance by The King David School Choir and was held in the auditorium at The King David School.
The school, a federation agency, moved into its new facility this fall at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, a federation project.
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