In a year of immense challenges for the Jewish people, the Chicago Jewish community will gather for the Jewish Federation of Chicago's 124th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Chaired by Devra Resnick Shutan, the event will reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments of the last year, and honor those who made them possible.
Some highlights:
*Eric (Rickey) Rothner will receive the 61st annual Julius Rosenwald Memorial Award, the Federation's highest honor. The award, named for the business icon and philanthropist, recognizes a lifetime of dedication to Chicago's Jewish community.
A philanthropist and entrepreneur, Rothner accomplished great success in his own business endeavors as the owner of Hunter Management, and has shared his experience to mentor young entrepreneurs.
He has served on the JUF Board for nearly a quarter century, and currently is the Vice Chair of the board.
Over many decades, along with the encouragement and vision of his late wife, Gale, Rothner has guided countless organizations across ideological or religious spectrums; served on many organizational boards; supported many synagogues, yeshivas, and day schools; and helped countless people navigate their lives financially and personally.
* In the annual State of the Federation address, President Lonnie Nasatir will address the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in a post-October 7 reality.
* The Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award, celebrating the achievements and promise of outstanding young volunteers, will be presented to Jordan Goodman and Rebecca Lederhausen Kanter.
Goodman serves on the Boards of JUF and the Covenant Foundation, and he chairs the Jewish and Israel Giving Committee of Crown Family Philanthropies. He is a founding Co-Chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Next Generation Associate Board. Professionally, Goodman is an art advisor and co-owner and operator of Casterline/Goodman Gallery, an art gallery and advisory firm focusing on post-war and contemporary art.
Lederhausen Kanter launched her journey with JUF as a Lewis Summer Intern. A past 36 Under 36 honoree, she has served on CJE SeniorLife's Associate Board, chaired JPN's Young Lawyers Group, and currently serves on JFNA's National Young Leadership Cabinet. Recently, she has endeavored to build connections among Jewish women in the western suburbs as well as among Jewish working moms in the city. Professionally, Lederhausen Kanter is a corporate attorney at Much Shelist, P.C.
* The Samuel A. Goldsmith Award, spotlighting exemplary young Jewish agency professionals, will go to Alex Fuchsman and Sam Savin.
Alexandra (Alex) Fuchsman-a Masa Israel Teaching Fellows alum-began her JUF career when she joined the Planning and Allocations department as their Commissions Coordinator. She went on to serve the Health and Human Services Commission as the Senior Planning Associate, assisting in the allocations process to affiliated agencies. Now, Fuchsman is serving as JUF's Missions Director. While at JUF, she has co-chaired JUF Cares, the mental health-focused Employee Resource Group.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at JCC Chicago, Savin specializes in behavioral and emotional challenges in youth. She founded the JCC Teen Mental Health Committee to raise awareness surrounding mental health in teens. She also supports some of JCC's Early Childhood programs and leads the JNew Moms Group for new and expectant mothers. In addition, Savin oversees the hiring of social workers and special education at JCC Chicago's Apachi Day Camp and Sunrise locations.
*David Golder, who is completing his two-year term as Board Chair, will be recognized for his exceptional leadership during a pivotal challenging time. He will pass the gavel to incoming Board Chair Wendy C. Abrams.
*The community will also acknowledge 2024 JUF Annual Campaign Chair Keith J. Shapiro, for his tremendous commitment and leadership.
* The Federation membership will acknowledge its outgoing members and elect the 2024-2025 Board slate.
The cost to attend the Annual Meeting is $50 ($36 for senior citizens, clergy, Jewish communal professionals and students). Due to limited capacity, early registration for in-person participation is highly encouraged.
Registration will remain open until Sept.12 or until the program reaches full capacity, whichever comes first. The program will be approximately two hours long and will also be available to stream virtually.
To register for the Annual Meeting, visit
JUF.org/AnnualMeeting
. Questions? Contact AnnualMeeting@juf.org.
