The Charlotte Jewish News - December 2009 - Page 27
Ruthie Warshenbrot is the 2009 Winner of the Jewish Communal
Service Association’s Young Professional Award
Ruthie Warshenbrot is the 2009
winner of the Young Professional
Award of the Jewish Communal
Service Association, the most
prestigious honor for young pro
fessionals in Jewish community
service, it was announced by
Howard Charish and Jay Spector,
Co-Chairmen of the JCSA Awards
Committee.
Warshenbrot was chosen from a
large group of nominees who were
recommended by their colleagues
at scores of organizations through
out North America. The Award
recognizes integrity, commitment,
creativity, and the importance and
impact of their exemplary work.
She was honored during the
General Assembly of United
Jewish Communities (UJC), meet
ing Nov. 8-11 in Washington, DC.
“... Ruthie’s stor[y] illustrate
the extraordinary diversity of our
nominees,” said Mr. Charish, who
is Executive Vice President of the
United Jewish Appeal-Federation
of Northern New Jersey. “...
Ruthie grew up in Charlotte, NC,
the daughter of Israeli parents.
And now just a few years later,
[she is a leader] in service among
[her] colleagues ... communi
ties.”
‘Being nominated for this
award is in itself a distinct honor,
and a tribute to all of the young
professionals who were singled
out by their organizations,” noted
Mr. Spector, who is President and
CEO of the Jewish Educational
and Vocational Services of
Philadelphia, “and we congratu
late them all. Like ... Ruthie, they
are dedicated, innovative and
unsparing in their efforts - and
they are the future leaders of our
community.”
Ruthie Warshenbrot is
Executive Director of Limmud
NY, an organization that brings
together Jews of all ages, back
grounds and lifestyles — includ
ing those with no formal Jewish
affiliation or with multi-cultural
relationships — to celebrate
Jewish life and learning in all its
diversity in a multi-day immersion
experience and with year-round
programming. Ruthie joined
Limmud NY in 2005, and her rise
within the organization was rapid
and stellar, as she assumed an
ever-increasing role and exceeded
expectations as Program
Coordinator and then Program
Manager. She was named
Executive Director in May 2008
and, as the only paid employee of
Limmud, works with more than
100 volunteers, handles finances,
and delivers an annual conference
with 1,000 participants. Not many
organizations with a high six-fig-
ure budget would put a 25-year-
old at the helm, but she was select
ed with the unanimous support of
Limmud NY’s Board because of
her composure, commitment,
enthusiasm and the skills honed
during her student days at the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. There, she was cited
by Hillel for her outstanding lead
ership, was president of Carolina
students for Israel, and helped
plan Holocaust Awareness Week.
As a result of her campus and
community work, she was elected
to the national Board of Hillel, one
of only six student members.
Ruthie is a graduate of the
University of North Carolina
(B.A., 2005) and completed a
Jewish Studies program in Prague
in the summer of 2004.
Ruthie says, “The Talmud sages
argued about which is greater,
study or action, and they agreed
that study is greater because it
leads to action. I want to use my
learning to bring together Jews of
all backgrounds to form one
community, and I have the
privilege of working with
Limmud NY, with its core
values of diversity, volun-
teerism and learning.”
The JCSA Award, which
includes a $1,000 honorari
um, is underwritten by the
Andrea and Charles
Bronfman Philanthropies,
the Mandel Foundation and
the Bernard Rodkin Fund of
United Israel Appeal-
Federations of Canada.
The Jewish Communal Service
Association of North America
(JCSA) works with a broad spec
trum of organizations in the
United States and Canada to
shape, define, and promote profes
sional leadership in Jewish com
munity service for the 21st
Century. JCSA connects practi
tioners and leadership and pro
vides opportunities to share
knowledge and collaborate across
fields of service. JCSA brings
together multiple professions,
associations and advocacy groups,
linking 16 local organizations by
providing partnership and
advancement opportunities. JCSA
supports professional develop
Ruthie Warshenbrot
ment and the creation and dissem
ination of educational resources,
and promotes best practices,
recognition, advocacy and net
working.
JCSA actively assists in the cre
ation of new groups — and in the
development and retention of
young talent through its presti
gious Young Professional Award,
which recognizes exemplary lead
ership, and its Graduate Students
Network. JCSA’s publications,
including the Journal of Jewish
Communal Service, focus on pro
fessional standards, trends and
developments, and critical think
ing on important issues for the
Jewish community. ^
Sid Sussman Receives
Bridge Builder Award from
Mecklenburg Ministries
“It is not enough to build
bridges to understanding. It is
important to get people to use the
bridges.”
Sid Sussman is a true bridge
builder. Since his birth in 1918,
Sid has worked and volunteered in
many professions and called a
number of places “home.” Living
through the great depression, Sid
attended New York University but
his plans for medical school were
interrupted by World War II. Sid
served five years in the army, leav
ing at World War II’s end as
Captain.
Throughout his life, Sid has
understood and embraced the
importance of service to others.
Sid’s many volunteer activities
throughout his life include presi
dent or Yale University’s Peabody
Museum of Natural History, chair
man of the Anti-Defamation
League of Connecticut, planning
committee member of Danbury
Hospital, board trustee of St.
Raphael’s Hospital board member
of Temple Beth El, and board
member of Mecklenburg
Ministries. Sid’s belief that
“knowledge is both powerful and
effective in bringing people
www.charloneiewishnews.org
Sandy Benjamin Wins the Inaugural
Spirit of Mercy Award
together” is evidenced in his lead
ership of Temple Beth El’s com
munity Relations Committee,
serving to educate others about
Judaism, and his deep involve
ment in the Comparative Religion
Series, hosting guest lecturers of
different religious groups. Sid, and
his wife Joan, are actively
involved in the United Religions
Initiative that brings people
together in honest discussion
about their differences.
Mecklenburg Ministries award
ed Sid with its annual Bridge
Builder Award at its breakfast in
October. Sid was cited for his
work with the interfaith
Mecklenburg Ministries, where he
served on the board for ten years,
and with Temple Beth El, where
he’s headed the Community
Relations Committee and spear
headed a popular Comparative
Religion series.
He has “inspired countless peo
ple with his interfaith commit
ment,” said Maria Hanlin, execu
tive director of Mecklenburg
Ministries. She also pointed out
that Sid designed the award he
picked up at the event. ^
The inaugural Spirit of Mercy
Award was presented to Dr. Sandy
Benjamin at the Spirit of Mercy
Gala attended by 300 invited
guests on October 3 at Carmel
Country Club. The award criteria
for nomination included: 1) med
ical care excellence and innova
tion; 2) medical staff leadership;
3) compassionate care; and 4)
community service.
Dr. Benjamin relocated his lab
oratory medicine practice at the
Cleveland Clinic Medical Center
to Mercy Hospital (currently
CMC-Mercy) in 1978. He has
served as Chief Pathologist and
Medical Director of Outreach
Laboratory Testing for the
Carolinas Laboratory Network of
the Carolinas Healthcare System
since 1999.
Dr. Benjamin was voted
“Physician of the Month” for
CMC-Mercy Hospital in June
2009 and voted by his physician
peers as a 2009 Top Doctor in
Charlotte Magazine’s annual poll.
He has served and continues to
serve on many committees at
Mercy Hospital. Dr. Benjamin has
a long list of service to the com
munity including work in the
Jewish community, youth and
sports community, as a mentor for
high school cultural diversity stu
dents, and a member of the board
of directors for the Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation.
Married to Lois Benjamin, the
two recently celebrated their 45th
wedding anniversary. They have
two adult children, Robyn and
Lee. ^
Youth Visions
Friendship Circle Chanukah Bowl!
The Friendship Circle is invit
ing all families and volunteers to
join us for the conclusion of our
Bowling League with a grand pre-
Chanukah Bowl! Many have par
ticipated in this unique league, and
it was a smashing success. Special
Chanukah activities and gifts will
be available, and refreshments
will be served.
The event will be held on
Monday, December 7 at 5:30 PM
at Carolina Lanes in Matthews,
NC.
For more information, contact
Bentzion at 704-366-5983 or
info@friendshipcirclenc.org. ^
/t\
FRIENDSHIP
Am
Volunteers Adam Fischel and Kyle
Worrel with their buddy, Max
Rebecca Cook enjoying
bowling with her buddy.
Michael.