Ben Chadwell Chairmans Award for Outstanding Volunteerism

Learning how to connect people with what is important to them is, in my view, the most rewarding responsibility of Jewish communal work. You get to help donors and volunteers breathe life into their visions. Speaking of visions: at the JCF event on June 1st, Carl Shuman’s inspired Build-to-the-Future themed sketch implored us to envision a central Pennsylvania with a nearly extinct Jewish Community – an anemic Federation, no synagogues, no JCC, no Jewish Family Service, no Silver Academy, crumbling buildings – a community deadened by disengagement. Then, in the same script, he painted a picture for us of an entirely different scenario, envisioning a Central PA with endowments to draw from that could just as equally be a part of our future. It was an effectively artistic way to drive home the point that in the context of building a thriving community full of educational opportunity, entertainment, support services for our most vulnerable, and sustainability, our present choices matter. Carl really painted an attractive image of what our Jewish Community can become and I was honored to help bring it to life on stage for the most active volunteers, donors, and exemplars in Central PA Jewish life. The laughter and applause at the Foundation event was very rewarding to hear. The Harrisburg Jewish Community raised me! My very identity is tied to the Jews here. I feel so enriched having grown up with Hebrew school, Hebrew High, Kadima, USY, the JCC, etc. right here in the midstate. But without The Jewish Community Foundation’s focus on helping our community endure, who’s to say any of those opportunities would have been available to me? The Jewish Community Foundation helps us weather storms (literally!) Dues, tuition, annual campaigns allow our institutions to survive year to year, but endowments add a keel to the ship – they are vital, not only for stability, but for growth when our organizations seek to offer more to the people they serve: more programming and services for children, families, seniors, and those with disabilities; funding for educational food gardens; film showings; field trips for Silver Academy students and JCC campers; special speakers; building renovations; classes; and much much more. Unforeseen circumstances can sink communities, but with the endowment funds that anyone can establish through The Jewish Community Foundation of Central PA, we’ll have the means to preserve our culture and grow our community. Every donor has a dream for what our community can be. The Foundation helps transform donors’ dreams into reality. To know that some of the most dedicated people I have ever met – people who have mentored me, guided me, and shared their gifts with me – have chosen me for this honor means a great, great deal. I thank them and would mention them all by name if I had the space. May they be recognized for their hard work and for sharing the fruits of their diligence with the community.