Combined Jewish Appeal Chair Gail Asper opened the Kavod Awards evening on May 29 by noting how lucky our community is to have loyal committed donors and a wide volunteer base. The full house at Etz Chaim Synagogue chuckled as Asper mentioned volunteers such as Peter Leipsic whom she said should be referred to as "Sir Call Alot." Both Howard Morry and Deborah Gray were also mentioned by Asper for their diligent efforts in raising funds .
Israel Ludwig, President of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg also had the crowd smiling when he said in reference to Asper that he had known many CJA chairpersons but "I have never seen one as energized as you are Gail."
The CJA Campaign Kick-off for Next season is September 13 , which will be headlined by CBC'S Rex Murphy.
Some 15 volunteers who made a significant contribution to various agencies or the community at large were recognized at the Kavod evening with Shem Tov awards.
Les Marks, who received the Larry Hurtig Jewish communal Professional Award began his remarks by saying that "thirty years as executive director ofthe Y is a long time." He mentioned his late wife Paula Marks who "taught me to be a mensch" with "chutzpa and intelligence." (Editor's note: I had the privilege of spending much time in Les's and Paula's home when Les was executive director of the Y. Paula was a very special person in my life and I know she would have been very proud to see him recieve this award. On a lighter note, I also think Les that I detected a run on sentence in your speech and know that Paula would have edited that. I regret that she is not alive to read this publication. Had she been I would have given her the codes to get into this website and go in when ever she felt like it and edit me).
Aileen Berger White , who received the Max Nathanson Young leadership Award spoke about being a Jew by choice, married to Lindsey whose parents were both Holocasut survivors and who had limited family. In a very moving speech, she spoke about becoming involved and bring "immersed into everything Jewish "and learning "what to do in a synagogue" and even learning how to get "the jokes."
The parents of the late Richard Tapper who passed away unexpectedly were present to receive the Harry Silverberg Young Leadership Award that he did not live to receive last year. As they said , "Richard felt compelled not only to give financially but in any way he could." Richard's mother ended her remarks by saying "Richard would only have wanted all of us to work towards a united and peaceful world."
Dov Secter, who received the Harry Silverberg Young leader of Distinction Award this year spoke of how he found his involvement "incredibly rewarding." He also spoke of Richard Tapper's impact on his life. "As my friend Richard would have said, 'someday' isn't a day of the week.
Gerry Kalef, who recieved this year's Max and Mollie Shore Memorial Award, received much laughter when he said "I'd like to thank the Academy for this Award. They took a long time but finally got it right this year." Kalef who has been a CJA canvaser for over 30 years and has served numerous terms on the Budget and Allocations Committee noted that "volunttering is it s own reward."
Larry Vickar, who received the Sol Kanee Distinguished community Service Medal in recognition of his many years of service to the Jewish and general communities recognized his parents, Norman, age 96 and florence , age 94, and their influence on his life. He also had the crowd laughing when he said "I am the head of my household but Tovah is the neck and she turns the neck any way she wants."
Vickar referred to ours as being "an inclusive community" and spoke of the importance of taking leadership roles in the community so as to ensure that it does not become a community in decline. Vickar noted, for example, the leadership role taken by Josh Morry recently on the University of manitoba Campus saying Josh "has paved the way for respectful dialogue" pertaining to the Israel-Palestinain conflict on Campus (Morry spearheaded UMSU recent decision to ban Students Against Israel Aparthied from U of M campus).
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