Kudos from the Forward
Three people from the Bay Area have been named to the Forward 50, an annual list of outstanding Jews compiled by Forward staff members with input from readers.
Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, was cited for being the first woman to head a major American Jewish federation. Attorney Al Levitt was recognized for his work as the president of the Jim Joseph Foundation. The Forward noted that under his leadership, the foundation “has emerged as a crucial and leading benefactor of Jewish educational projects.”
Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, was cited for leading the NIF through a firestorm of negative publicity, while increasing fundraising and formulating funding guidelines “that make clear NIF’s bright line against providing grants to groups that do not support a two-state solution or the Jewish connection to Israel.”
Additionally, Rabbi Janet Marder of Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills was named to the Forward’s inaugural Sisterhood 50 list of the most influential women rabbis in the nation. She is cited for being the first woman to head the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents 2,000 Reform rabbis.
Another Jewish ‘Giant’
Richard Cohen of San Francisco writes that there was another Jew on the field during the World Series (besides those noted in “Jewish stars of the World Series” in j. Oct. 26) — him!
Cohen was a “ball dude” (seniors who field foul balls near the bullpens) for the Giants during Game 1 of the World Series at AT&T Park, which our team won, 11-7. In a nod to the Hebrew symbol for chai, Cohen wore a No. 18 jersey, and he said it was “an incredible honor for this longtime baseball fan.”
Speaking of Jews and sports, Matt Crevin, the San Francisco 49ers’ press box public address announcer, has launched Voice of the Box, a collection of career-oriented interviews with seasoned sports insiders that offer advice to would-be sports professionals. Check out the wide variety of topics at www.voiceofthebox.com.
Gathering get-well wishes
Chloe Ticktin, a fourth-grader at Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, wanted her tzedakah project to assist victims of the San Bruno explosion and fire, so she got together with her friend, Hannah Levine, a student at Wornick Jewish Day School to figure out how to help. The Levine’s family home had major smoke damage.
The two girls started a get-well card campaign at their respective schools, making announcements at school assemblies and asking friends to participate. Together they collected hundreds of cards to deliver to victims in the burn units of hospitals, reports Chloe’s mom, Leslie Ticktin. “Our families hope these cards will help Hannah’s neighbors and let them know that students in our Jewish community are wishing them well,” she said.
Short shorts …
California’s Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs named Jim Kooler, who grew up in Pleasant Hill, “State Leader in the Field” for his work in alcohol and drug prevention. In 1984 he helped initiate the California Friday Night Live Partnership, a program aimed at reducing deaths and injuries caused by teens driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. He is now the administrator for the program, which operates throughout the state … David Cygielman, CEO of the Oakland-based Moishe House, was named a 2010 winner of the Young Professional Award of the Jewish Communal Service Association at the General Assembly of the United Jewish Federations of North America. The GA was held this week in New Orleans.
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