Recognizing Excellence
Our community is filled with many outstanding individuals, programs and organizations. In 1966, we created our first award – the L.L. Goodman Leadership Award. Each year, JFGI recognizes our community’s exceptional individuals, organizations and programs with different awards at our Annual Meeting in June.
Awards
L.L. Goodman Award
Established in 1966 to recognize individuals under the age of 50 who have demonstrated leadership skills in community activities and in the annual campaign. Candidates should have made meaningful contributions to the Federation, developed knowledge of the Jewish community and Israel, and should be willing to participate in regional and national meetings.
Liebert I. Mossler Community Service Award
Established in 1979 to recognize and honor individuals with a sustained record of exceptional service to the Jewish and the general community.
Frank H. Newman Award
Established in 1991, is presented to an outstanding professional in one of the Federation’s constituent or beneficiary agencies or in the Jewish community.
Domont Award
Established in 1997, is given to agencies, congregations and Jewish organizations for outstanding creativity in community service. All Jewish community organizations are invited to submit programs to be considered for the award. This award is granted on two criteria: 1) creativity; 2) the enhancement of Jewish Life.
Melvin Simon Tikkun Olam Award
Established in 2002 to recognize unique, special projects that enhance our community.
Kehilla Award
Established in 2009, for sustained and outstanding leadership in the Jewish community.
OR L’DOR Award
Established in 2015, to recognize those outstanding individuals for their leadership, service, and enduring commitment to Jewish continuity by building endowments that will support and inspire future generations.
The Lev Award
Established in 2017, to recognize independent initiative to create and/or share a Jewish experience.
2023 Award Winners
- L. L. Goodman Award: Elan Daniel
- Liebert I. Mossler Community Service Award: Michelle Korin
- Frank H. Newman Award: Indianapolis Jewish Comunity Israel and Hebrew Educators
- Domont Award: J Cares, Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center
- Melvin Simon Tikkun Olam Award: Partnership2Gether
- Kehilla Award: Marcia Goldstein
- The Lev Award: Paula Reiss, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Newish to Jewish Circle
Nominations
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is asking for your help with our annual awards nomination process. In order to nominate an organization, program or individual who meet any of these characteristics, please complete the Award Nomination form.
NOTE: Please review the listing of previous award winners. Nominations for previous award winners for the same award will not be considered.
Rules of entries:
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Complete a nomination form.
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Individuals cannot nominate themselves.
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A picture of the nominee could be included with the submission but is not a requirement.
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Letters of recommendation, articles, brochures and other supporting documents are encouraged (on 8 ½" x 11" paper).
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Completed nomination forms must be emailed to akruszynski@jfgi.org.
Submitted materials will not be returned unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.
Fill out an online application here:
Notification of Award:
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis Awards Committee reserves the right to move nominees into different categories, award multiple nominees within a category, or decline granting of an award within a category, as appropriate.
All submissions are confidential, and nominees are not notified of the application submitted or its status unless it is successful.
Ways to Give
Your donation of any size to the Jewish Federation has enormous impact, helping to meet our communities' urgent needs and build our vital future.
Previous Award Recipients
A z"l annotation indicates "zichrono/a l'vracha", "of blessed memory"
LL Goodman Leadership Award
2022 - Dr. Jennifer Schwartz
2020 - Barry Wormser and Reva Weiss
2019 - Eric Ratner and Carly Turow
2018 - Brad Gershman and Jamie Ratner Rich
2017 - Leo and Marina Grabovsky
2016 - David and Jackie Barrett
2015 - Larry Turow and Steve Klapper
2014 - Les Brail and Michelle Korin
2013 - Megan Maurer and Matthew Tobe
2012 - Matt Burnett and Greg Maurer
2011 - Stacy Segal
2010 - Beth Klapper and Todd Maurer
2009 - Alan Nelson and Karen Rothbaum
2008 - Shelby Anderson and Mark Sniderman
2007 - Tom Herman, Lisa Leventhal, and Greg Schahet
2006 - Susan Falender and James Schwarz
2005 - Leslie Katz and Offer Korin
2004 - Kevin McKasson, Leslie Rubin, and Michael Rubin
2003 - Joe Ofengender
2002 - Doug Rose
2001 - Penni Brodey and Henry Efroymson
2000 - Helen Kurlander Goldstein and Andrew Kleiman
1999 - Lynne Himelstein and Paul Kraft
1998 - Katy Cantor and Zeff Weiss (z"l)
1997 - Ellen Gabovitch, Ronald M. Katz, and David Resnick
1996 - Laura Rich and David Vonnegut-Gabovitch
1995 - Jeffrey Abrams, John Abrams M.D., and Diane Lutz
1994 - Dick Leventhal and Bonnie Prystowsky
1993 - Keith Pitzele and Nonie Vonnegut-Gabovitch
1992 - Bradley S. Bell and Barrie Fisch
1991 - Dan Cantor and Sandra Rothbaum
1990 - Claudette Einhorn and Michael S. Maurer
1989 - Carl Cohen, Gigi Marks Felsher, and Larry Reuben (z"l)
1988 - Bruce Jacobson, Mary Smith, and Peter Weisz
1987 - Donald Katz, Janie Maurer, and Jane Yolles
1986 - Benton Marks and Phyllis Vernick
1985 - Linda Abels and Dr. Stephen Shideler
1984 - Jon Abels and Caryl Shideler
1983 - Phyllis Schahet and Dick Jacobs (z"l)
1982 - Susie Jacobs and Judi Lichtenberg (z"l)
1981 - Sally Cook and James Fishman (z"l)
1980 - Alan Goldstein and Donna Nelson
1979 - Estelle Nelson and Michael Siegel (z"l)
1978 - Charles Cohen and Karen Cohen
1977 - Sharon Garelick and Max Nelson (z"l)
1976 - Ezra Friedlander and Judy Laikin
1975 - Susan Cahn, Gary Schahet, and Sandra Slavin
1974 - Barbara Bailie (z"l) and Robert Garelick
1973 - Illene Maurer (z"l) and Marvin Mitchell
1972 - Herbert Brodsky and Meta Kleiman (z"l)
1971 - Dr. Stephen Bailie (z"l) and Babs Cohn
1970 - Charlene Tuchman and Walter Wolf, Jr.
1969 - Suzanne Clement and Dr. Edward Gabovitch
1968 - Harriet Goldberg and David Kleiman
1967 - Pearl Jaffe (z"l) and Gerald Kraft
1966 - Philip Pecar (z"l)
Domont Award
2022 - Indiana Jewish Historical Society
2020 - Library Coordinator for the Maurer Jewish Library - Marcia Goldstein, IndyPL – John Helling, and Hooverwood Mezuzah Project – Evan Lubline
2019 - Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)'s Stand Up! Speak Out!
2018 - PJ Library 10th Anniversary (Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis [JFGI], Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation)
2017 - KAVOD: Support the Holocaust Survivors (Jewish Family Services [JFS])
2016 - LIFE & LEGACY
2015 - JCRC Legislative Mission to Washington, D.C.
2014 - Advocacy2Gether, a program of Partnership2Gether
2013 - JCRC, Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE), Hasten Hebrew Academy (HHAI), the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission for their work in sponsoring the State of Indiana Annual Holocaust Day of Remembrance and Youth Summit
2012 - The Lay and Clerical Leadership of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC)
2011 - The Israel Shaliach program of the Jewish Federation
2010 - Campus Superstar at IU Hillel
2009 - Jewish Community Center (JCC) for Mother's Circle
2008 - JFGI for their Israel at 60 Celebration
2007 - JCC Israel Partnership
2006 - JFGI for "Our Vision, Our Promise, Our Legacy" - to JFGI's Endowment Department for reaching its $100,000,000 Endowment Initiative Goal. Also to JFGI for its ElderSource services.
2005 - JFGI for its Centennial celebration and 100 years of service to the Jewish community of Indianapolis
2004 - JCRC, in recognition of its advoacy programs on behalf of the Jewish community of Indianapolis and Israel; and BJE "We Must Bear Witness" for educational awareness program to teach remembrance of the Holocaust
2003 - JCC Ann Katz Festival of Books & Arts
2002 - JCC & Hooverwood "Friends Come in All Ages"
2001 - JCC's 2000-2001 Cultural Arts season
2000 - IU Hillel's Gesharim: Building Bridges to the Future
1999 - JCC's "Israel's 50th" celebration
1998 - JFGI's Sukkot Project and GA
1997 - JFGI, BJE, JCC and HHAI "Jerusalem 3000" Celebration
LEV Award
2020 - Peter Cukier & Robert Rising
2019 - Ilana Mordoh and Lori Schankerman
2018 - Boris Gorlin
2017 - Beverly Tys-Berson (z"l)
Liebert L. Mossler Community Service Award
2022 - Jeff Smulyan
2020 - Dan Cantor
2019 - Ernest Lorch
2018 - David Resnick
2017 - David Vonnegut-Gabovitch
2016 - Dr. John H. Abrams
2015 - Zeff Weiss (z"l) and Sheila Greenwald
2014 - Ilene Maurer (z"l)
2013 - Larry and Lisa Sablosky
2012 - Martin Kroot and Joan Wolf
2011 - Eugene and Marilyn Glick (z"l) and Lola Herman (z"l)
2010 - Dorit and Gerald Paul
2009 - Sandy and Elaine (z"l) Levinson
2008 - Bruce M. Jacobson
2007 - Dr. Mark Pescovitz (z"l)
2006 - Dr. Edward Gabovitch
2005 - Janie and Mickey Maurer
2004 - Arnold Feinberg (posthumously) (z"l)
2003 - Benton Marks
2002 - Claudette Einhorn
2001 - Phil Pecar (posthumously) (z"l)
2000 - Dan Efroymson (z"l)
1999 - Chuck Cohen
1998 - Estelle Nelson
1997 - Stanley Talesnick
1996 - Libby Fogle (z"l) and Frank Newman (z"l)
1995 - Gladys Nisenbaum (z"l) and Jane Rothbaum (z"l)
1994 - Helen Barrett (z"l)
1993 - Marks (z"l) and Barbara Levy
1992 - Gerald Kraft
1991 - Walter Wolf
1990 - Meta Kleiman (z"l)
1989 - Irwin Katz (z"l)
1988 - David Kleiman
1987 - Amy Cook Lurvey (z"l)
1986 - Robert Efroymson (z"l)
1985 - Marjorie Jacobs (z"l)
1984 - Mary Fink (z"l)
1983 - Albert Reuben (z"l)
1981 - Dr. Maurice Kaufman (z"l)
1980 - Alice Berkowitz
1979 - Fritz H. Goldbach (z"l)
Melvin Simon Tikkun Olam Award
2022 - Indiana Historical Society
2020 - Eva Koor/ Ted Green and Clayton Taylor
2019 - Parents' Night Out (Jewish Family Services [JFS])
2018 - 2017 Jewish Community Study
2017 - Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC) Mitzvah Stitchers
2016 - Popsie's Pantry (JFS); Congregation Beth-El Zedeck (BEZ)-Cathedral Soup Kitchen program
2015 - Tree of Life, a program of Partnership2Gether, Western Galilee Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, and the Glick Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI)
2014 - Jewish Community Center (JCC)'s Earth Day Community Celebration
2013 - IHC Interfaith Hospitality Network
2012 - JFGI for its leadership and support of high-level civic missions to Israel 1986-
2012, Dr. Marcia Goldstone and Michael and Janie Maurer
2011 - The Adopt-a-Family program (JFS)
2010 - Council Connects
2009 - Children's Museum of Indianapolis for their Anne Frank exhibit
2008 - Blankets of Kindness (JFGI); Shaarey Tefilla for their new synagogue
2007 - IHC for its Edward A. Block Forum Series
2006 - Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation for its new building
2003 - JFGI for its leadership role in establishing the America's Voices in Israel program
2002 - Habitat for Humanity project awarded to JFGI and BEZ
OR L’DOR Award
2022 - The Kroot Family
2019 - Dick and Barb Leventhal
2016 - Chuck Cohen
2015 - Winnie Goldblatt Silberman
Frank H. Newman Award
2022 - Eric Koehler
2020 - Katy Cantor and Margo Fox
2019 - Julie Sondhelm
2018 - Rabbi Sue Laikin Silberberg
2017 - Erica Crowell
2016 - Mrs. Miriam Gettinger
2015 - Elaine Fairfield and Marcia Goldstein
2014 - Michele Boukai
2013 - Darlene Monninger
2012 - Cantor Janice Roger
2011 - Michael Papo
2010 - Diana Wysocki and Linda Hanley
2009 - Elliott Gold and Bob Stedron
2008 - Ruthie Cannon (z"l)
2007 - June Herman
2006 - Winnie Goldblatt and Lori Moss
2005 - Diane Steiner
2004 - Rabbi Arnold Bienstock and Ora Leivant
2003 - Michael Blain
2002 - Nancy Glazer
2001 - Marc Penner
2000 - Yossi Cohen
1999 - Judy Sosin
1998 - Harry Nadler
1997 - Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso
1996 - Ira Jaffee
1995 - Rod Hofts
1994 - Rabbi Jonathan Stein
1993 - Dr. Marcia Goldstone
1991 - Carolyn Leeds
Kehilla Award
2022 - Barb Levy
2020 - David Kleiman
2019 - Keith Pitzele
2018 - Sheila Greenwald and Paul Kraft
2017 - Benton Marks
2016 - Bradley S. Bell
2015 - Claudette Einhorn
2014 - Gigi Marks Felsher
2013 - Chuck Cohen
2012 - Richard Leventhal
2011 - Leon Mordoh (z"l)
2010 - Hart and Mark Hasten
2009 - Rosalie Gussow
Grinspoon Educator Award
2019 - Rabbi Tzuriel Gluck
2018 - Clara Sharon