Dedicated to educating

Barbara Rosenberg

Philanthropist and community leader Barbara Rosenberg will be honored for her dedication to education and Jewish learning by the Jewish Community High School of the Bay at its spring celebration on May 19 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco.

The grandma of a current JCHS senior, Rosenberg has been a member of the executive committee of the board of directors since 2003. Her commitment to education includes involvement in the Jewish and general communities. She’s been president of Jewish LearningWorks, a board member of Lehrhaus Judaica and chair of the statewide selection committee of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. She also served as a San Francisco library commissioner, was on the advisory boards of the Jewish studies department at Stanford University, San Francisco School Volunteers and Achievement Awards for College Scientists, and has been a trustee of Brandeis University, her alma mater.

 “Barbara is a once-in-a-generation leader who integrates a passion for Jewish learning with a commitment to Jewish community. She empowers and enriches each individual and every organization with whom she works,” said Rabbi Howard Ruben, JCHS head of school. Funds raised through the event will benefit JCHS’ needs-based tuition assistance program. For information or to become an event sponsor, visit www.jchsofthebay.org/sc14.

Fammies for Dream Team

Debbie Kay and Kerri Lehmann, founders of Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Dream Team, were honored along with the rest of the team at the agency’s 30th annual Fammy Awards gala on March 8 for the caring support they provide for residents of the JFCS Dream House. The Dream House offers residential services to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Kay, Lehmann and other volunteers provide groceries, laundry supplies and other necessities for residents. They’ve also created a children’s library with donated books. Among the guests were co-chairs Tammy and Bill Crown.

Speaking of honors

At its recent gala, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing honored Temple Isaiah’s Rabbi Roberto Graetz with the 2014 Children’s Choice Award for his many years of service to the group, as well as his “extraordinary gifts of time and talent to children everywhere.”… Betty Reuben of Sacramento was recognized by the National Council of Jewish Women at its 46th national convention in St. Louis with the group’ s Enduring Leadership Award. … Zachary Gottesman, 14, of Greenbrae, earned his eagle rank in January from Boy Scouts of America, San Rafael Troop 101, reports proud dad Jim Gottesman.

Short shorts

Molly Gordon

Molly Gordon of Berkeley was one of 25 Jewish graduates worldwide accepted to the Israel Government Fellows program. Gordon, 22, is working for the next year in the Israel Government Patent Office in the Ministry of Justice, where she helps to identify areas where pioneering patents would increase Israel’s international standing … At the Osher Marin JCC, George Mann is the new chief financial officer and Masha Shifs is the new director of development … Claire Lipschultz of Sacramento has been named to the national board of directors of the National Council of Jewish Women … Alex Merritt, 17, of Los Altos, was elected to the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s international board as moreh, where he’ll be responsible for membership and recruitment for the 40,000-member BBYO.

by Suzan Berns

This columnist can be reached at [email protected].