MALIBU, California (Press Release)–Shalom Institute, home of Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu and the leading experiential Jewish education and retreat center in Southern California, will hold its Gala and Award Dinner on Saturday, December 2, at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The Gala honors extraordinary people for their contribution and commitments to the Institute and the Jewish community and beyond. This year’s honorees are:
LINDA AND MICHAEL BENNETT of San Diego will receive the inaugural MARLA BENNETT INSPIRATION AWARD: Linda and Michael’s daughter Marla Bennett z”l was one of the American victims in the bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem on July 31, 2002. Marla was an incredible role model and friend to thousands of Camp JCA Shalom campers and staff. In 2004, with support from Linda and Michael and those close to Marla, Shalom Institute created the Marla Bennett Israel Discovery Center and Garden, an interactive hands-on learning center that teaches about the land, history and people of Israel and the relationship between Judaism and the environment. Linda and Michael’s unwavering support and vision ensures that future generations can benefit from all Marla was passionate about.
ADAM WEISS, President of Shalom Institute, will receive the RAE AND DAVID FINEGOOD LEADERSHIP AWARD: During his tenure as president, Adam has guided the Institute with intelligence, passion, and vision. Under Adam’s leadership we secured our land, solidified our financial position, began to implement our strategic plan, and strengthened our board and committees. Adam is a role model for the Institute as he continues to increase our visibility and raise our profile in the community.
ARTHUR PINCHEV, Director of Shalom Institute’s Sherut L’Olam: Teen Leadership and Advocacy Program, is the recipient of the VISION AWARD: Arthur brings passion for service learning and tikkun olam (repairing the world) to his work with Sherut L’Olam participants and his staff. During his tenure as Director of Sherut L’Olam, Arthur has been visionary in his approach to training our teens to be future leaders. As we celebrate the 10th birthday of Sherut L’Olam we also celebrate Arthur taking the program to another level of excellence, and the restructure the program to include and engage more teens from bar/bat mitzvah age through high school.
“We are honored to acknowledge Adam Weiss, Linda and Michael Bennett, and Arthur Pinchev for their extraordinary contributions to Shalom Institute and our Jewish community.” – Rabbi Bill Kaplan, Shalom Institute Executive Director
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Preceding provided by Shalom Institute