2019 Class of 18 Difference Makers

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

All of us at Classic Lexus celebrate and recognize each and every Difference Maker.

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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Five years in, there’s no shortage of ways to make a difference in Northeast Ohio KEVIN S. ADELSTEIN kevin@cjn.org

Giving back can take many forms.

How one gives their time, talent and treasure is often dictated by personal preference, passion, time and where one sees the biggest needs – knowing well, there are more than one can ever address in a lifetime.

Some like to help others without seeking any credit, operating under the radar. Others like to call attention to all they do to benefit their community, potentially in the hopes that someone else might be inspired to give back.

Some prefer to make a difference in a formal sense – with their money, or on a board for an organization to which they feel a special connection. Others might give their time whenever and wherever they can, dabbling in various areas, but always giving the best of themselves.

There’s no one way to do it correctly.

However, all those selected for a Cleveland Jewish News class of 18 Difference Makers – more than 100 people from across Northeast Ohio since 2015 – have demonstrated some

combination of giving their time, talent and treasure. They’ve found a way to channel their skills, experience and interests into addressing a pressing need in our community, and often beyond.

Over the years since we created the 18 Difference Makers, there have been 600 nominations for the honor.

Reflecting on the 2019 class of 18 Difference Makers, diversity in change makers hasn’t skipped a beat. This class represents a variety of Jewish denominations, backgrounds, ages and professions. They include executive-level personnel, nonprofit leaders, attorneys, educators, a rabbi, a cantor and more.

A theme that will emerge as you read the honoree profiles is that changemaking is as much a result of sheer hard work as it is personal passion for a cause.

For example, Milton Maltz first experienced hate as a 5 year old – an experience that stuck with him for 85 years. As he’s gone on to become one of Northeast Ohio’s most successful

business leaders, every step of the way he’s worked to fight hate at its root – whether by challenging authority and the status quo throughout his career, or inspiring a more tolerant next generation via the Stop the Hate essay contest. For those efforts and others led

by Milton and his wife, Tamar, the couple is the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Another example is Dan Moulthrop, who was an early-2000s transplant to Northeast Ohio. In his relatively short time here, he’s made quite a loud voice for himself and his cause in advocating for free speech and open dialogue.

Dan’s not only made it his professional mission, but also a personal fight.

All of the individuals celebrated in these pages have found their own ways to make things happen, and the Jewish and Northeast Ohio communities are the beneficiaries. I invite you to join us in honoring their efforts at the Cleveland Jewish News’ 18 Difference Makers Awards Ceremony Nov. 24 at

Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights. If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets, it’s not too late to show your support for this year’s honorees. Limited tickets are still available at cjn.org/18dm.

Not only will we celebrate the giving of their time, talent and treasure, but also the many different ways one can do tikkun olam with their own flair.

And over the last five years, we’ve likely gotten some ideas of our own.

Kevin S. Adelstein is publisher and CEO of the Cleveland Jewish News and president of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company.

Congratulations

18 Difference Makers profiles written by: Managing Editor Bob Jacob; Staff Reporters McKenna Corson, Skylar Dubelko and Jane Kaufman; and freelance writer Kristen Mott

to the class of 2019 Difference Makers.

We appreciate your continued commitment to our community.

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

›Milton and Tamar Maltz

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t 5 years old, Milton Maltz faced hate for the first time – an experience that has been indelibly etched in his mind, even 85 years later.

That incident, along with his ability to think outside the box and his capacity for taking chances helped him skyrocket a single small radio station into the formation of Malrite Communications Group, Inc., one of the largest owners of radio and television stations in the country. Such experiences have also been the impetus for him and his wife, Tamar, to become generous philanthropists to both Jewish and nonJewish causes, including his temple, the arts, research, mental illness and more.

For their efforts to make the world a better place, the Maltzes will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 2019 Class of the Cleveland Jewish News’ 18 Difference Makers on Nov. 24.

A HATEFUL EXPERIENCE At 90, Milton Maltz still arrives for work weekdays and puts in six or seven hours, including business trips to Washington, D.C., New York City and Jupiter, Fla. Sitting in his Beachwood office, which is adorned with mementos from his career, Maltz recounted in crystal clear detail his first encounter with hate as if it happened yesterday, while Tamar, also 90, looked on.

“My dad (Louis Maltz) had a little store with a home attached to it in an all PolishCatholic neighborhood,” he said. “We were the only Jewish family in that entire part of South Bend (Ind.). When it was time for me to go to kindergarten. Benjamin Harrison was the closest school, about 10 blocks away from us. There were no school buses so my mother took me and walked with me before classes began to show me the way to school and how to come back.

“One day at recess, I was surrounded by a group of Catholic boys. And they started calling me names – kike, that kind of thing – and they started to pull on me and take off my clothes. I wound up having no shirt, no pants. I wrenched myself away and ran like crazy in shoes, socks and underwear. They called me ‘Christ killer.’ I remember telling my mother, who was horrified. I never killed anybody. They claimed that I’m a Christ killer! That was my first experience with hate and intolerance. It’s something you never forget having lived through that.”

That incident was enough for Anna Maltz. The family moved to Chicago, where the Maltzes kept an Orthodox Jewish home.

Milton entered the first grade, never having finished kindergarten.

When he was 10 years old, some boys made fun of him because he played the violin.

“For several weeks, four or five of the

guys would gather around, laughing, ‘Play the fiddle for us, Miltie, play the fiddle.’ And I wouldn’t do it because they were all crazy kids, making fun and mocking the violin,” he said.

“One day in November, it was getting dark and they started pushing me around as I was walking home. ‘Play the fiddle, Miltie, play the fiddle for us.’ OK, I said, ‘I’ll play the fiddle. I put the violin case down on the sidewalk, opened it up. I took the violin like a baseball bat and I smashed Lenny Osborn right in the face. His glasses flew off his nose. They thought I was crazy, and they all left and ran away, and left me there with my broken violin in pieces.”

Afraid to go home, he was sitting on a bench, when a police car rolled up.

“Are you Milton Maltz?” the officer asked. “Your mother has been calling the station every 15 minutes. Get in the car, we’re taking you home.”

When he got home, he said, “My mother didn’t know if she should kiss me or smack me. My mother could not afford to buy me another violin – so I took up the harmonica, instead.”

CAREER PATH CHANGE Maltz grew up thinking he wanted to be an architect, but in high school, those ambitions took a detour.

A teacher asked him to read aloud a paragraph from “Moby Dick.” He did, and when the teacher asked him to stay after class, he thought he was in trouble. Instead, she told him a new radio station was looking for talent to participate in dramas on air – before television existed.

“I told her, ‘I don’t think I want to do that,’” Maltz recalled.

“You like being a hall monitor?” she asked him.

“No, it’s boring,” he replied.

“I’ll get you out of that,” she said.

“And I’ll pay your car fare.”

He auditioned, got the job and was offered more and more parts.

When he was in college, his father thought that being a radio actor was not a solid career and was opposed to him being an on-air personality.

However, that changed when Maltz wrote and directed, “The Fight for Freedom,” a series of radio programs that chronicled the struggle to create the nation of Israel.

“Maybe it’s not such a bad career after all,” his father

told him.

“I would stay up at night until about 2 in the morning to write, sleep until about six or seven, and then I would finish the script I was working on and go to class,” Maltz said.

He spent two years at Roosevelt College in Chicago, where he met Tamar. He eventually received a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill. Tamar reminisced about how they met.

“He was holding auditions for parts in a show that he had written,” she said. “I was one of the ones that went downtown to try out. I did not get the part.”

After the audition, Milton Maltz said he could help her if she would stay longer. She did. He then asked her to dinner, and that was the beginning of what has turned into a 68-year marriage.

Along the way, Tamar Maltz taught school in Michigan and Maryland, and was a Hebrew school teacher at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood.

THE BEGINNING OF AN EMPIRE Maltz served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was called to active duty at the

National Security Agency. He was based in Washington, D.C. and dealt with documents, including those that were top secret. The pay was not great, so he was a “GI daytime and DJ nighttime” in Washington, D.C. He moonlighted for John Kluge, a grocery store owner who had started his own broadcast company. His biggest radio advertiser was Arthur Murray Dance Studios and due to poor advertising results, he was afraid he would lose this client.

Maltz saved the day. He did ad-lib spots, aimed toward women who worked for the government.

“You work all day long for a federal government agency,” he recalled of the spot. “You come home at night. It’s dark, it’s quiet, you’re lonely. Here’s how to change that and find the guy of your dreams. Here’s the phone number. It’s Arthur Murray … dance lessons.”

As the phone began to ring, Maltz asked Kluge to give him $1 for every time someone called in to sign up for dance lessons. The ad spot was a success and they sold hundreds of dance lessons. Because of this, Kluge wanted Maltz to go to work for him once he left the Navy, but Maltz had other ideas – he wanted to own his

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS own stations.

Kluge went on to create media giant Metromedia, which owned radio and TV stations and other properties, eventually selling the company for $7 billion, Maltz said.

Maltz then took a job as a program director at a station in Michigan, serving Jackson and Lansing, the state capital.

Tamar Maltz was a schoolteacher at the time.

There, Maltz had another experience with hate, this time directed not at himself but toward another minority group. Maltz had played on air, recordings by three black artists in a row – “Satchmo (Louis Armstrong), Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.” The general manager of the station called him and told him to get them off the air, using a racial slur.

Maltz, who was the top-rated disc jockey, took the record that was playing and smashed it – and thought he would be fired.

After his show, the director summoned him to his office and asked why he played those records.

“I said to myself, I can’t live like this,” Maltz recalled. “I’ve got to buy a station and run it myself.”

Maltz then asked Robert G. Wright, the No. 1 salesman at the station, to join him in purchasing a small radio station in 1956 – the start of Malrite. The partners were together for about eight years until they went their separate ways. Maltz served as Malrite’s chairman and CEO until he sold the company in 1998.

TALES OF AN ENTREPRENEUR A few stories of brilliance define the success and the drive of Maltz and Malrite Communications.

First, he predicted early on that FM was going to supplant AM as the radio powerhouse.

Maltz and Wright – the namesakes of Malrite – bought a small station in Plymouth, Wis., about 15 miles from Sheboygan, Wis., for about $40,000, with $15,000 as a down payment. The money came from Tamar’s teaching job.

“Why were the owners willing to sell?”

Maltz asked. “They were all businessmen and didn’t have any idea how to run a radio station. So, we took the risk and bought it to see what we could do with it.”

“I put a record on and offered a U.S. Savings Bond for anybody who came up with the name of the song. Not one phone call. I wound up putting on ‘G-d Bless America’ and not one phone call. Now I thought, I know why we own this radio station. Nobody listens to it.”

That didn’t deter Maltz. He analyzed the market and realized that the station was in dairy country and that he needed to attract those listeners who had money. His came up with the idea to have a dairy farmer broadcast live on the air every morning from his kitchen to provide agricultural reports that came from the government. In exchange, every time a major advertiser

NOVEMBER 22, 2019 bought a radio spot, that farmer would receive merchandise from the advertiser.

The idea was an instant success.

The second station Maltz bought was in Macomb County in Michigan, about 35 miles from Detroit. He changed the format to a then-relatively unknown talk-radio format. When a controversial statewide tax issue came up, his station was the only one broadcasting the debate live from the state capital for two days. That led the station to become the local news leader in the market.

Maltz’s first TV station was an ABC affiliate in New Bern., N.C., which was the third-rated station in a three-station market.

Some businessmen owned it and they were selling it for $2 million, which in those days was considered very cheap.

“The station was a disaster,” Maltz said.

“The news was bad, everything was bad.”

The station’s tower was only 500 feet, half the size of the rival networks’ towers and when he asked to rent space on their towers, they laughed.

So Maltz had a tower built that was 2,000 feet, but he still needed to do something else to attract viewers.

“I released the people doing the so-called news,” he said. “There wasn’t one woman on the air doing news so I hired an AfricanAmerican woman on top of it. Half the TV market was black and there had never been a black person on the air doing news, let alone a woman.

“I started getting phone calls. ‘Fire those people, or we’re going to burn your tower, or we’re going to tear it down.’ And you can imagine, I told them to go screw themselves.

And I’ll never forget the day they said they’re going to tear it down.”

Maltz called the police, but “they didn’t show up.”

ABC had an idea to have people surround the tower to keep it from being damaged. It worked, and ABC became the No. 1 network in the market.

PROLIFIC PHILANTHROPISTS Kluge was responsible for the Maltzes coming to Cleveland, as Maltz had hoped to buy stations and settle in San Diego.

In the early 1970s, Maltz ran into Kluge at a broadcasters’ convention and Kluge needed to sell a radio station due to Federal Communications Commission regulations.

The station was WHK in Cleveland. Maltz bought that one and WMMS-FM, and turned the struggling stations into juggernauts.

That’s when the Maltzes moved to Cleveland, the new home of Malrite Communications.

Tamar Maltz was surprised at the time, but now calls the city, “my beloved Cleveland.”

The Maltzes have been generous donors, mostly through the Maltz Family Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. In the Cleveland area, beneficiaries of their generosity include The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Montefiore, The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 5 Art and Cleveland Play House.

They have also given generously outside of Northeast Ohio to the Lieber Institute for Brain Development at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation in New York, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., Israel Philharmonic and American Friends of The Israel Museum, to name a few.

The Maltzes spearheaded the drive to renovate what was called “Silver’s Temple” in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, transforming it into the sparkling new Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center, which is now part of Case Western Reserve University.

“I cannot imagine a more impactful set of difference makers than Milton and Tamar Maltz,” CWRU President Barbara Snyder said. “When we first went to them and I went in partnership with the thensenior rabbi of The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Rick Block, when we first approached them with the idea of turning the synagogue – which was only being used a few times a year at that point – into a performing arts center for our campus, they immediately embraced it.”

With phase one, an extensive renovation, completed, the project is on to phase two.

“We have a number of other donors who have stepped up to help with that, but it started with Milton and Tamar,” Snyder said. “We are so excited about phase two because it includes something that both Milton and Tamar deeply committed to: a proscenium theater – the first real proscenium theater that has been on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.”

In her praise, Snyder said “getting to know them has been one of the privileges of being president of Case Western Reserve.”

LOVE FOR THE ARTS The Maltzes also created the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., and Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Fla., where the Maltzes have a home nearby.

The Maltzes have left their mark on the arts and entertainment world.

When the Cleveland Orchestra came looking for a donation, the Maltzes couldn’t resist.

“People at The Cleveland Orchestra were having trouble getting young people to enjoy and like classical music,” Milton Maltz said.

“They came to see me and asked for funds to help reduce their debt. They sat around the table and I asked, ‘How much do you want?’

They told me they were going to hit me for $10 million.

“I told them, ‘I can’t do it. But I will tell you what I can do – $20 million, on one condition: When I sit in that box seat and look down at the audience, what do I see?

Gray hair and no hair. Here’s what we’re going to do – we’re going to take that money and let young people come in for half

AGE: Both 90 RESIDENCE: Lyndhurst and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. CHILDREN: Julie, Daniel and David SYNAGOGUE: The Temple-Tifereth Israel BEST ADVICE RECEIVED AND GIVEN: Be honest FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: At home AWARDS BESTOWED UPON THEM The list of honors received by the Maltzes is extensive. They include: • Life trustees of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and recipients of the Charles Eisenman Award, the Federation’s highest honor • Israel Bonds’ Silver Anniversary Award at the International Prime Ministers Club dinner • CWRU’s President’s Award for Visionary Achievement • The Harley I. Gross Presidential Award at Montefiore, where both of Milton Maltz’s parents received care. The Maltz Chapel and Auditorium, and the Maltz Hospice House were named for the family.

the price and no price at Blossom (Music Center). And we’re going to wind up getting young people enjoying classical music and buying tickets eventually, as they get older.’

I will never forget it. They were stunned.

For your information, today The Cleveland Orchestra is considered the No. 1 orchestra in America to bring in young people.”

He also played an instrumental role in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame coming to Cleveland, instead of New York City.

“The New York board members didn’t want it here,” he said. “We owned a station that was a rock station in New York and many of those guys on the board would come to me to have their talent played on our air. And I would say, ‘Look I can’t force you, but how are you going to vote for the home of the rock hall?’ That’s all it took.”

STOPPING HATE, LOVING ISRAEL Recalling the hate and anti-Semitism he encountered, Maltz realized something had to be done. So, 12 years ago, he and Tamar and the Maltz Museum launched the Stop the Hate essay contest for students in Northeast Ohio. It’s a way for students to express their feelings about hate and tolerance, and an opportunity to win money for college.

The Maltzes have visited Israel several times and the country has a special place in their hearts.

“It’s the last place Jews can stand up and be counted as equal to any other nation at the United Nations,” he said. “And it’s the opportunity for Jews to exercise their skills, their research, their caring, their loving.”

– CJN Managing Editor Bob Jacob

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CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARD Presented by the Cleveland Jewish News Foundation

›Dan Moulthrop

Dan Moulthrop’s story is defined by doing new things.

He worked at a nonprofit, taught at a high school, taught behind bars and was a journalist.

Today, as CEO of The City Club of Cleveland, he is using skills and knowledge learned across those positions to teach what free speech means and the right to exercise it.

As a result of his accomplishments, Moulthrop will receive the Civic Leadership Award at the Cleveland Jewish News’ 18 Difference Makers event on Nov. 24.

“I taught in county jail in San Francisco, my first teaching job,” said Moulthrop, whose maternal grandparents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. “I taught in county jail in different locations for a year. I was constantly trying to figure out where I can make a difference – not saying that because we’re talking about Difference Makers – but that’s literally what I was trying to do. Asking, ‘Where is the place where I can help people and make an intervention in somebody’s life? Or how can I help people actualize themselves?

“Working in the jail, I was really driven by that. ... The folks I had been working with really hit kind of rock bottom. The question I started asking, ‘Is there a way you can be involved in somebody’s life earlier that they avoid this kind of rock bottom? What I came to understand about the population I was working with in the jail was that they mostly wanted to be good people, and mostly they were bad decision makers and mostly they were unlucky, mostly people of color.”

That experience led him to become a high school English teacher in San Lorenzo, Calif., which is where he met his wife, Dorothy Russo, who was an English teacher before becoming department chair one year after he was hired.

Moulthrop loved teaching, but said when he turned about 30 years old, he realized he couldn’t see himself teaching for decades. So, he pondered his future while reflecting on his past. He was editor of his high school newspaper, loved journalism and listening to public radio. He went to graduate school for journalism at the University of California, Berkeley and said he loved living in the Bay Area.

After school however, he and Dorothy got married and moved to Cleveland, from where Dorothy hails. Her family

owned Russo’s Stop-n-Shop grocery stores.

SHIFT TO NORTHEAST OHIO In 2005, Moulthrop was hired at ideastream as host of “Morning Edition” He thanked Dave Kanzeg, former director of programming at ideastream, and his colleague, Mark Smukler, who took a chance on the newcomer.

In 2006, ideastream launched “The Sound of Ideas” and Moulthrop was its first host.

“I was 31 years old, had never done live radio before and they decided to take a chance on me and train me on how to do a live radio broadcast in the morning,” Moulthrop recalled. “I had never done anything like that before, but I loved it.”

Moulthrop would arise at about 3:30 a.m., drive down to the station on Chester Avenue, watch the sunrise from there, read the news and conduct interviews.

“It’s really hard to get up that early in the morning,” he quipped.

In 2005, Jim Foster, Moulthrop’s predecessor at The City Club, invited him to moderate the mayoral debate among Frank G. Jackson, thenMayor Jane L. Campbell and others.

His ideastream colleague, Mark A. Rosenberger, prepped him for the debate.

“I fell in love with The City Club and I fell in love with Cleveland,” Moulthrop said. “And I fell in love with the whole project of convening the needed conversation. So, it’s no surprise that whenever The City Club asked me to moderate a panel, I would say yes whenever my calendar would permit it. And when I had the opportunity to take on the 9 o’clock hour, (on WCPN) which we considered a town hall of the airwaves, I really just enjoyed that job tremendously. And that’s kind of what set me on this course.”

He eventually joined The City Club as a member, and then became involved with its committees.

In 2010, he left ideastream to work for The Civic Commons, a digital project to create a social environment for civic dialogue. By early 2013, Moulthrop became aware Foster was planning to retire and Foster encouraged him to apply for the job.

Moulthrop said he was impressed by

the work of The City Club because of his knowledge of a similar organization, Commonwealth Club of California, which was founded in 1903.

“I was aware of how these kinds of organizations can have an impact on the communities they serve,” Moulthrop said.

In May 2013, Moulthrop was tapped as the next CEO of The City Club.

“I was thrilled,” he said. “There was a perception in the community that I was kind of a leader because of the public-facing roles that I have had. In reality, I never had had the responsibility of leading an organization. While I led some projects here and there, I certainly hadn’t led an organization like The City Club, and I felt somebody just handed me the keys to a vintage Rolls-Royce or something like that. I’m not the valet, I’m going to take it for a ride.”

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS “Our democracy – this republic of the United States of America – is precious, and though it’s got longevity, it’s fragile.”

TAKING CITY CLUB INTO THE FUTURE Under Moulthrop’s leadership, The City Club has increased from 777 members to 909 members, or 17%. It has about a $2 million budget derived from ticket sales, private catering operations, contributions, philanthropic efforts and an endowment. The number and diversity of programs have increased, and programs have been created to reach a younger demographic.

He credits “brave leaders” like the late Stanley Adelstein, the late Mort Epstein, Art Brooks, Bob Lustig and many others who worked to grow the endowment. Many city clubs were launched before the Great Depression, experienced financial challenges and failed to survive. The City Club of Cleveland however, founded in 1912

by Rabbi Moses J. Gries and others, is the second oldest in the country.

When Moulthrop took over, he plastered his walls with sticky notes about ways he wanted to change the direction of The City Club.

“When I first got here, it was hard to say, ‘What’s the business of The City Club?’”

Moulthrop remembered.

“Are we a speakers series, are we a place for

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

AGE: 46 RESIDENCE: Shaker Heights SPOUSE: Dorothy Russo Moulthrop CHILDREN: Nico, 14, Elisa, 13, and Gabriel, 11 VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Paperboy for The Trenton Times in New Jersey GUILTY PLEASURE: Superhero movies. I love narratives and stories of all kinds. I should be the kind of person who reads more history, nonfiction and biographies, but when it comes to books – though I read widely when I can – left to my own devices, I’ll read young adult fiction.

TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: I wish I had an ounce of the musical talent my kids have. What a joy it would be to be able to sit down at the piano and play for people.

BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Don’t take it personally. Whatever it is, whatever the slight or annoyance or affront. Most people do have good intentions. And anyone who doesn’t isn’t worth worrying about.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Coffee.

WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT? Lots of things. Probably too many to list.

FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: A scarf from high school I wish I had never lost.

FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: My living room couch, in the winter, with a fire in the wood-burning stove.

WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST? On a weekend afternoon, when there’s time to really make dinner, like roast a chicken, and I’ve already mowed the lawn, fixed something around the house and taken a nap.

FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD: “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger WHAT ITEMS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR FRIDGE? Whole milk, fresh spinach, yogurt, eggs, tortillas, three or four kinds of cheese, salsa, Vietnamese fish sauce, hummus and lemons. Probably some carrots, too.

WHAT LOCAL RESTAURANT HAVE YOU DINED AT MOST THIS YEAR, AND WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING BACK? fire food and drink. Doug (Katz) keeps me coming back. And the hanger steak. And maybe the Manhattan.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY ONE SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE? Flight. Definitely.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People who think there’s good pizza in Chicago.

BIGGEST FEAR: Honestly? That my kids won’t outlive me.

lunch, are we events? And my own point of view is that we were in the business of helping people participate in democracy, equipping people to participate in democracy, but in coming to the forum itself, that is an act of participating in democracy.”

Now, he wants to grow the organization’s profile across the state and country.

“Our democracy – this republic of the United States of America – is precious, and though it’s got longevity, it’s fragile,” he said. “We don’t get to keep it unless we work at it. We’re not entitled to this democracy. We only get to pass it onto the next generation. We do what it takes to make it strong and engage as many people as we can.

“I believe that what we do here is unique and is fundamentally important to the strength of democracy.

There’s no place else in America (where) for the price of lunch you can be in a room with a presidential candidate, or a sitting president or some national-level

thought leader who is shaping the future of policy and the future of our economy.”

Moulthrop considers himself a secular Jew. “I joke frequently that I am not exactly Jewish, I am ‘Jew-ish,’ with the emphasis on the ‘ish,’” he said.

His father is not Jewish, and the family grew up in a secular household in New Jersey.

“We were like culinary Jews, we made latkes and applesauce and brisket when it was the right time of the year,” Moulthrop said. “We would have a seder at my aunt’s house.”

He never celebrated a bar mitzvah, and the family did not attend temple or church.

“But, I’ve had enough of my own personal religious

experiences that have created in me a real commitment to that, I believe I see as a fundamental commitment or a religious or a spiritual commitment as a Jew to doing my part to improve the world, or repair the world or make it a better place to be a better human,” Moulthrop said. “Judaism talks about tikkun olam ...

For me, it often comes back to my grandfather, who escaped from Ukraine on a freight train so he wouldn’t be cannon fodder in World War I. He came to the United States, eventually to New York, where a Jew could work as a tailor, and find a better life and be able to be a Jew and be free.”

– Bob Jacob

Mazel Tov

Jared Miller



On your well deserved recognition as a 2019 Difference Maker.

The impact you’ve had in the Jewish community and beyond makes us proud!

– Your Weinberg Wealth Management Family

DM 8 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Mindi Axner

Mindi Axner’s volunteer journey started with a carnival. While growing up in Pepper Pike, a younger neighbor died from cancer, and Axner, her siblings and fellow neighbors decided to join forces to create a carnival in a neighbor’s house and backyard to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“We decided on what games we were going to do and we got little prizes for game winners,” Axner said. “They had to pay for tickets in order to play the games. We promoted it at our school and people from the neighborhood came. This was still in the days where you didn’t really hear about cancer much, and if you did, sometimes people whispered it. We did it for a couple of years in a row, and if I had to guess, we raised maybe a couple hundred dollars. It was so much fun.”

It was this moment that middle-schoolage Axner realized she had a calling, and she decided she wanted to make a positive impact to those in need.

Axner serves as the executive director of the National Council of Jewish Women/ Cleveland, fund raises for Hawken School and serves on the board of Forever Children’s Home, a nonprofit family consortium home for individuals with severe special needs. She previously served on the boards of Gross Schechter Day School, Milestones Autism Resources and Connections: Health

Wellness and Advocacy.

“When I think about why I got into nonprofit, it was because I needed to know that I was making an impact and not just an impact by creating widgets,” she said. “I wanted to know I was doing something that was really changing the lives of people less fortunate or people that just were in bad situations - people who needed a little bit of help, a little bit of encouragement and a little bit of care.”

One moment Axner will never forget that keeps her along her path of giving back is when she volunteered at a maximum security women’s prison when she was 21 with a psychologist to run group therapy sessions.

“After the first day, one of the prisoners said to the psychologist ‘That if that girl’ – that’s how she referred to me – ‘if that girl keeps coming, I’m not coming anymore.’

The psychologists said, ‘That’s your choice.’

So the psychologist told me about this conversation and she said, ‘You know, I think you still need to keep coming back.’ It was a little scary, since it was a maximum security

ISRAEL BONDS CONGRATULATES Thomas A. Lockshin Executive Director, OH & KY

Cleveland Jewish News 18 Difference Makers Award Recipient

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 53 RESIDENCE: Moreland Hills SPOUSE: Michael CHILDREN: Twins Sam and Emily SYNAGOGUE: Park Synagogue VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Bus person at The Restaurant GUILTY PLEASURE: Anything with peanut butter, chocolate and bananas TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: To sing and play the piano by ear BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Don’t listen to respond, listen to hear what the other person is saying VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Five decaf shots of espresso, three pumps mocha, almond milk all over ice WHAT ITEMS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR FRIDGE: Chocolate chips, self-made mixed nuts, flaxseed, chia seeds and peanut butter (and I wonder why my family always tells me there’s nothing to eat.)

women’s prison, but I said, ‘I’m going to keep coming.’ That prisoner kept coming, and on my last day, she came up to me and thanked me for continuing to come. And I said, ‘Why are you thanking me?’ And she said, ‘Because you showed me that people on the outside do care.’ And it made a difference in my life.”

While Axner is proud of the website livespecial.com she helped create as a resource for people who have a loved one with special needs search for things like local camps or activities just by typing in the activity or diagnosis and a fundraiser event named Celebration of Champions that awards individuals with disabilities for overcoming their struggles, her greatest accomplishment– or two, in this case – are her two children, 17-year-old twins, Sam and Emily.

From starting with Share What You Wear providing clothing, backpacks and school

supplies to kids in the foster care system when they were eight to increasing their volunteer efforts by tutoring kids in charter schools weekly, serving on youth boards and cleaning Lake Erie beaches as high schoolers, Axner believes that by nurturing and encouraging her children’s love of volunteering she can help generations to come.

“I haven’t even worked that hard to get them active in the community. I see in them the passion that I have for helping other people. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my kids get joy out of doing good, whether it’s raising money or working one-on-one with other kids. They love going to other schools to tutor, and sometimes it’s not even tutoring. Sometimes it’s just sitting and having conversations about everyday things that provide a different perspective for these children.”

– McKenna Corson

Mazel Tov Difference Makers!

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

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CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 9

Shaping tomorrow’s civic-minded leaders.

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center and Scholars Academy explore the humanities through collaborative learning, seminars and lectures, civic engagement, nationally recognized speakers and unique travel and research opportunities.

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Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center 19-1434

DM 10 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Andrew Brickman

Having worked as a real estate consultant for about 10 years, Andrew Brickman decided he wanted to set out on a new mission. in Beachwood, Eleven River in Rocky River, Clifton Pointe in Lakewood and 27 Coltman in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood.

For Brickman, community mindedness is an important aspect of his professional work.

“We make it a point whenever we develop a new project in any community to engage the community as much as possible and to try, if at all possible, to use local vendors within that community,” he said.

“We want to give back to that community.

Consequently, I believe the communities where we have developed new projects have been very supportive.”

In addition, Brickman said Brickhaus strives to support local chambers of commerce and community development corporations as well as locally based arts and theater centers such as the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood and Cleveland Public Theatre in Cleveland.

“We engage personally with these groups,” he said. “We care about them. We don’t just write checks. We get to know the organizations and find out what they need and how we can help them whether

“I decided that I wanted to do something in Cleveland that would help make Cleveland a more attractive city for new residents as well as retain Cleveland’s best and brightest talents,” said Brickman, who lives in Cleveland’s Edgewater Park neighborhood. “I had always been interested in real estate, and I thought if I could create the types of living environments that would inspire those people, that it would help.”

Brickman is now principal and developer at Brickhaus Partners in Warrensville Heights, responsible for such developments as Twenty Four Hundred

Brickman said he feels an obligation to give back to others, and he places a priority on showing gratitude and recognition to those he works with.

Congratulations 2019

Thank you for your dedication to our community!

Difference Makers

SPOUSE: Single CHILDREN: Julius, 4 months DID YOU HAVE A CHILDHOOD NICKNAME? Brick and Mr. Luckier VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Plain Dealer paperboy – had them back in the day GUILTY PLEASURE: Reflexology and facials TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Sing or play an instrument- you’d think it would be in the blood with pianist cousin Jim Brickman BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: To ease the suffering of all other sentient beings WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT: Saying, “no” WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST: When I get into the flow while working on something I believe in passionately BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Can’t stand that people don’t get dressed up YOUR BIGGEST FEAR: Running out of time to achieve all that I want

it’s technical or financial assistance.”

Brickman describes himself as a handson type who likes to participate and see the results of his efforts. That’s true in his personal life too. Brickman was involved with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cleveland for 10 years, having been named Big Brother of the Year in 2001. He’s also involved with EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute as well as MedWish International.

His involvement goes beyond the local community, though. Brickman has been the chief sponsor and underwriter of an orphanage in Kovalam, India, for the last eight years, where he offers support to 70 children ages 4 to 18. He also provides support to an orphanage in Kizira, Uganda. He’s even taken a vow of “bodhisattva,” which, according to Brickman, “requires that individual to dedicate themselves to easing the suffering of other sentient beings.”

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Congratulations Tamar and Milton Maltz!

We salute you for your leadership, vision, and humanity.

Your philanthropic spirit has made an immense difference.

Photo: Stuart Pearl

Brickman said he feels an obligation to give back to others, and he places a priority on showing gratitude and recognition to those he works with.

“A lot of entrepreneurs think that they made it on their own, but no one ever makes it on their own,” he said. “Everybody always needs the help of everyone else from the person who’s doing the most menial labor to the engineer or to the architect or to the government. It’s all about working together cooperatively to see the project come to fruition.

“I feel very fortunate to be born healthy in an entrepreneurial business where I can determine how I spend my time and what sort of projects we pursue,” Brickman added. “Because of that, I feel that there’s an obligation to try and help other people whom we come across.”

– Kristen Mott

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 11

DM 12 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

›Jessica Cohen

Growing up on Long Island in New York in a Conservative family, Jessica Cohen held a deep desire to go to Israel.

The second intifada dashed her hopes of getting there in high school. In college, she finally went on a Birthright trip in her freshman year at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., returning four more times in college and opting to return for four months of study at a women’s seminary in Jerusalem following college.

“I had never had the opportunity to do Jewish studies full time,” she said. “It was just really wonderful to immerse myself in that.”

Cohen, 34, was active with United Synagogue Youth in high school and at both Chabad and Hillel at Harvard.

As Cohen was exposed to Orthodox practice among her peers at college, she said she found something “very special” about the practice of Judaism. She then moved toward Orthodox observance in what she called an evolution.

How did her parents react?

“It was an adjustment,” she said. “They’re proud of me no matter what. We joke that it’s their fault. They brought me up with such a strong sense of Judaism.”

Later, she met her husband on a blind date, who also came to Orthodoxy independently from a less observant upbringing.

Today, Cohen takes part in both the Jewish and civic worlds, chairing the Cleveland Heights planning commission and on the board of Lev Miriam Bikur Cholim of Cleveland in Cleveland Heights.

A member of Shomre Shabbos in Cleveland Heights and the mother of four, her involvement with Bikur Cholim, which tends to the sick in Cleveland in myriad ways, grew directly out of personal experience.

When she was due with her third child on the final day of Passover in 2013, someone brought her kosher for Passover meals before she went to the hospital and then breakfast at Lake West Hospital the day after she delivered, which coincided with the first day following Passover.

“Thank G-d we haven’t had to need it for other reasons,” she said.

Cohen came to Cleveland as a trailing spouse.

She has served as vice chair of the Cleveland Heights charter review commission and served on the boards of the United Black Fund and the Hispanic Alliance.

Cohen has worked in both Jewish and nonsectarian organizations. She opened the Cleveland office of Agudath Israel, where she

The entire Cleveland Play House family congratulates Milton and Tamar Maltz, recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award for their tremendous contributions to Northeast Ohio and the Arts.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 34 RESIDENCE: Cleveland Heights SPOUSE: Eric CHILDREN: Devorah, 10; Eli Meir, 9; Rivka Leah, 6; Dovi, 4 SYNAGOGUE: Congregation Shomre Shabbos VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Congressional case worker for U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-New York GUILTY PLEASURE: A meal out with my husband at an upscale kosher restaurant.

TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Better understanding of math concepts. I was a victim of giving up on trying to enjoy math at a time where if you weren’t naturally talented, it wasn’t worth working on much. This is despite taking math up to calculus in high school. I just did the bare minimum and I wish I worked harder and had the talent to really understand advanced math.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People who commit to something and don’t give 100% YOUR BIGGEST FEAR: Dying – there’s too much I want to accomplish.

worked for 3 1/2 years. She worked for Breakthrough Through, a charter school network for four years.

“After that, I was scooped up by the Jewish Federation (of Cleveland),” where she became managing director of community relations, she said. There, she “oversaw all the building of relationships with the general community, policy we needed to build consensus for, and combating anti-Semitism and efforts to delegitimize Israel in the region.”

She called that work “really tough but incredibly rewarding.”

It was also demanding. When the Tree of Life Congregation shootings took place in Pittsburgh, she and the Federation team worked nonstop on a community response and rally.

She left Federation in March, partly to begin law school at Cleveland Marshall College

“They brought me up with such a strong sense of Judaism.” of Law in Cleveland at night this summer.

She now holds a position as vice president of external affairs at Unify Labs, one she calls “more contained.”

Cohen said she feels an imperative when asked to help.

“I can’t help but to give of my skills and my time,” Cohen said. “It’s very difficult for me to say no to help when asked. I feel a very strong sense of responsibility because of the privileges I’ve had in my life.”

– Jane Kaufman

Mazel Tov to our wonderful brother-in-law,

Ira Kaplan...

You are a difference maker to all of us and we love you for it.

We are so proud of your accomplishments.

Carol and Michael Scheffler

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 13

is the proud sponsor of the Civic Leadership Award

MAZEL TOV

Dan Moulthrop We also recognize Tamar and Milt Maltz and the entire 2019 class of 18 Difference Makers.

The CJN tells your stories.

The CJN Foundation keeps them alive at cjn.org/archive.

Celebrate all your simchas with a donation to the CJN Foundation at cjn.org/foundation

DM 14 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

A native of Duluth, Minn., Marc Freimuth said he would not have predicted his level of involvement in the Cleveland Jewish community at the time he became a bar mitzvah.

His great-grandfather was a founder of Duluth’s Reform congregation, Temple Israel.

“It starts with family,” he said. “My family one way or another was Jewishly committed.

And so I learned Jewish values to one extent or another.”

After relocating to Cleveland with his first wife, Sharon Sager Freimuth, the family joined Park Synagogue and decided to send their daughter, Ladeene, to The Agnon School in 1972.

Agnon founders Bobby Goldberg and Peter Rzepka invited Freimuth to join the board he eventually chaired and propelled him to more expansive roles in the community.

Other Jews in Cleveland also had an influence on him, he said, naming philanthropists

He was often sought for leadership when organizations were facing particularly difficult challenges.

Morton Mandel, Albert Ratner, Chuck Ratner, and Milton and Tamar Maltz.

“These are first-generation or second-generation immigrants,” he said. “Their families came from nothing and they … are just so exemplary in their commitment to Jewish community broadly speaking, not just locally but obviously internationally.”

Freimuth said the Sager family also guided him as a Jew. In fact, Freimuth’s children and grandchildren have Shabbat dinner with his father-inlaw, Richard Sager, now 98, along with other family members on a weekly basis at his table.

“He still studies Torah every week,” said Freimuth of Sager. “He’s a man of great religious knowledge and great faith and he’s been a real role model for me.”

Now semi-retired at Wachter Kurant, LLC in Pepper Pike, Freimuth served as general counsel for Ohio Savings Bank for much of his career as a lawyer.

He was often sought for leadership when organizations were facing particularly difficult challenges. Freimuth served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Mandel Jewish Community Center including as

Michele Weiss In tribute to

A most accomplished Difference Maker Controller, Hebrew Academy of Cleveland Council Member, City of University Heights Her contributions to our school and the community are immeasurable.

Rabbi Simcha Dessler Educational Director

Dr. Louis J. Malcmacher President

Rabbi Eli Dessler Financial Director

AGE: 73 RESIDENCE: Pepper Pike SYNAGOGUE: Park Synagogue FIRST JOB: Golf caddy GUILTY PLEASURE: One piece of Malley’s milk chocolate before bed BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Moderation in all things, and its corollary: just because some is good doesn’t mean more is better.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Manhattans FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: Shirt with names of my three grandchildren FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: My loft at home or Riviera Maya YOUR BIGGEST FEAR: Destruction of Israel

chair, Park Synagogue as vice president, and Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, which he chaired for 5 years. He helped found the Cleveland Jewish News Foundation. In addition, he served as vice chair of Siegal College of Jewish Studies and on the board of the former Bureau of Jewish Education.

Freimuth said his second wife, Ann, has also been a trusted adviser in connection with much of his recent community service.

In the broader community, he was involved with Leadership Cleveland, served as vice president of United Way of Cleveland and has played walk-on roles at the Cleveland Opera, where his late wife served as development director and he also served on its board of trustees.

“They needed some supers for a production of ‘Turandot’ and convinced me,” Freimuth said. “I was hooked. Loved it. I appeared in many of their opera productions.”

Now 73, he has donated blood and platelets to the American Red Cross for more than 50 years.

“I think we have an obligation as people and as Jews to give back to the extent that we’re able to, and I am a strong believer of the miracle of the existence of the state of Israel and believe that is an essential ingredient of Juda-

Congratulations

›Marc W. Freimuth

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

ism and Jewish continuity today,” he said. “It requires our devotion and support because it is a miracle – we went over 2,000 years without a state of Israel – and there’s no guarantee.”

Freimuth has been to Israel eight times. His trip two years ago was with family, he said, and was the most meaningful to him, because all of his biological children and grandchildren, including his son, Joel, now deceased, were there.

Two of his grandchildren performed b’nai mitzvah projects while there, and the family took part in both. His grandson, Zack Freimuth, a hockey lover, wanted to support a rink in Metullah, near Israel’s northern border, that serves Jews, Druse and Arabs.

And his granddaughter, Ariana Freimuth, chose a contribution to a school in Beit Shean, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s sister city. The project entailed painting games on concrete so the children at the school would have more options for outdoor activities.

Freimuth said Ariana was able to converse in Hebrew with students at the school.

“It was just a fantastic experience in every way, and the people were just so warm and welcoming,” Freimuth said.

– Jane Kaufman

Jessica Cohen From the Unify Labs Team

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 15

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Congratulates Milton & Tamar Maltz for their 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from Cleveland Jewish News.

Milton & Tamar are indeed outstanding examples of “Difference Makers” who have shaped the local, national and international landscape through their tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Through their tireless leadership and generosity, Milton & Tamar Maltz have helped steer the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation in overcoming the challenge of mental illness with research for recovery.

Since 1987:

30+

70k+

$408M+ awarded

researchers

For more than 30 years the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has fostered new research pathways and transformative breakthroughs.

Our 70,000 donors have joined together in the great challenge of modern medical science — overcoming mental illness.

Since 1987 the Foundation has awarded more than $408 million to fund more than 5,900 grants.

Grants have been given to more than 4,800 leading scientists around the world.

years

donors

4,800+

DM 16 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

›Michael Davis Hoenig

Michael Davis Hoenig strives to brighten the lives of LGBTQ members of Cleveland’s Orthodox Jewish community through his work with MAKOM, a group he co-founded.

MAKOM, which means “place” in Hebrew, was formed in 2016 after Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood screened “Trembling Before G-d” at its annual film festival. The film focused on the stories of gay and lesbian Orthodox and Chasidic Jews faced with the dilemma of reconciling their sexuality with their faith.

“My brother is gay, and I had been a quiet ally for a while,” Hoenig said.

The movie came out in 2001, and although there had been a 15-year gap between its release and the Green Road Synagogue screening, Hoenig said, while watching the movie, he realized the issues LGBTQ people in the community faced had not yet been addressed or solved.

“At that moment I realized that being a quiet ally was insufficient,” he said.

While not saying or doing anything “isn’t as harmful as saying the wrong things and doing the wrong things, it certainly isn’t helpful.”

So Hoenig, along with Green Road Synagogue member Susan Borison and several other Orthodox community members decided they needed to keep the conversation going, ultimately forming MAKOM. Since MAKOM’s inception, Hoenig said he’s become a better ally and learned new things every day.

“When my brother came out a while ago I didn’t feel prepared,” he said. “While growing up in the Orthodox community and going to an Orthodox high school prepared me for so many things and in such a wonderful way, I felt ill prepared for that moment. What we’re trying to do with MAKOM is to get ahead of the curve and have in place policies, mecha-

Because we have blessings and are fortunate, we should make an effort to make sure those who may not have them, their lives are just a little bit better.

Boker Tov YOUR DAILY NEWS FROM THE CJN The CJN’s daily eNewsletter delivers the latest headlines to your inbox every weekday morning for FREE!

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 38 RESIDENCE: Beachwood SPOUSE: Danielle CHILDREN: Isaac, 7; Gabriel, 3 SYNAGOGUE: Green Road Synagogue GUILTY PLEASURE: Eating potato chips TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Singing BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: Don’t judge someone unless you’ve walked in their shoes.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Always say shabbat shalom to the candy man and shake his hand before asking for candy.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Watching the Cleveland Browns

nisms, conversations and education so that our community is more inclusive.”

Hoenig said he believes his Jewish upbringing has influenced his desire to help others in the community and said he tries to keep the concept of tikkun olam in mind.

“We should remember that we were once strangers in a strange land,” he said. “I keep in mind the privileges I have and we have as a community. I recognize not everyone has those same privileges. With that in mind, we should brighten the lives of those who have different or more challenging paths in life. If there’s something we can do to make their lives better, then we should do it. That’s an important Jewish value.”

Hoenig is an associate at Ulmer & Berne LLP in Cleveland who focuses his practice on business litigation. In 2018, he got out of his comfort zone, traveling to Dilley, Texas, to spend a week representing mothers and children from Central America who were seeking asylum in the United States.

Noting each client had “horrible stories of what happened to them and why they were coming to the United States,” Hoenig explained none of them wanted to have to come to the United States.

“They all said they wished they could have stayed in their homes, but they felt that they had no choice,” he said. “It was stay and be killed or leave and take their chances.”

The trip had a lasting impact on Hoenig, who was glad to use his legal knowledge to help these mothers navigate the complex immigration system.

“I was really happy to help, and to connect that with my Jewish heritage, it goes back to remembering that we were once strangers in a strange land,” Hoenig said. “As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I can certainly empathize with people fleeing their home countries because it’s no longer safe.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO AUGIE NAPOLI AND THE 2019 DIFFERENCE MAKERS. Thank you for building a greater Cleveland for generations to come.

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– Skylar Dubelko

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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DM 18 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

›Ira C. Kaplan

Ira Kaplan said he believes by making a difference in not only the Jewish community, but in the general community as well, he can help make Cleveland better for everyone –no matter their background.

And he’s had plenty of great role models in his life, such as his mother who fought for racial and economic equality and inclusion in Shaker Heights and his in-laws who were heavily involved in their congregation– The Temple-Tifereth Israel – and avid supporters of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

“We live in a challenging time,” Kaplan said.

“What motivates me are opportunities to facilitate positive change through working with like-minded and passionate people who are supportive of the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Even though we do it a little bit at a time, making a positive difference in even one person’s life is important. This core Jewish value keeps me motivated, and I feel so very privileged to be able to do this. I think we have to take care of our own. But I also think we have a broader responsibility, which is why I also am involved in the general community.”

And motivated he is – the Lyndhurst resident is the chair of Bellefaire JCB, board member and treasurer of the Mount Sinai Health Care Foundation, board member and past board chair of Menorah Park, board member of the Jewish Federation of

Cleveland and past chair of the Federation’s Community Planning Committee, board member of the Wingspan Care Group, board chair of the Cleveland Leadership Center, board member and past board chair of Engage!Cleveland, second vice chair of United Way Greater Cleveland and is involved with various Cleveland initiatives that are focused on economic development with a focus on equity and inclusion. He is also a past board chair of Council Gardens.

“I think that while I’m still trying to figure out how to allocate my time in a way that can have the most impact, I also recognize that being involved has become a part of who I am,” Kaplan said. “Even though it takes up a lot of time during the day and during mornings and evenings, it’s not something that is a burden.

These are things that I do because I think they’re important and I love doing them, and the people that I’ve had the benefit of meeting and getting to know have enriched my life and made it a pleasure to do this work.”

During Kaplan’s time with Menorah Park, he was a part of board planning regarding community needs related to brain health,

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

AGE: 65 RESIDENCE: Lyndhurst SPOUSE: Amy Reich Kaplan CHILDREN: Three grown children, Andrew, Rachel (son-In-law, Dan Atkins) and Emily (son-In-law Max Slutsky) SYNAGOGUE: The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Celebrating Jewish Life VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Delivery boy for The Cleveland Press and the Sun Press GUILTY PLEASURE: Mystery novels and a good bourbon, neat.

BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. Don’t mistake kindness for weakness.

Each day is a blessing so take a moment and enjoy it.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Politicization of critical issues that need communities to come together to solve which led to the Menorah Park Center 4 Brain Health that works on educating, supporting and assessing the community with memory care or brain health issues. He’s also proud of Bellefaire JCB’s creation of a 12-bed psychiatric hospital for children that will open shortly,

Monday, November 25 5:30 - 8:30 pm FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY!

5:30-6:30 pm Interactive Meet the Artists 6:30-8:30 pm Performance Showcase

Featuring visual and performing artists from a variety of faiths and cultural backgrounds, expressing the beautiful diversity of our city through music, art and dance.

CHECK OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES! This program is generously supported by the Norma and Albert Geller Social Justice Endowment Fund

B'nai Jeshurun Congregation 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

as well as the leadership roles of the Mount Sinai Foundation and United Way in forming a community coalition to combat the effects of lead paint in Cleveland.

-McKenna Corson

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Ohio Chapter Congratulates

JARED MILLER

for his honor as a difference maker.

Thank you for your invaluable efforts to make a change in the Jewish community, Israel and the FIDF. WE SALUTE YOU! Richard Uria

Chairman, Ohio Chapter Lane Schlessel Director, Ohio Chapter And the Ohio Chapter’s Board of Directors THEIR JOB IS TO LOOK AFTER ISRAEL. OURS IS TO LOOK AFTER THEM.

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 19

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Benesch congratulates Ira C. Kaplan Named to the 2019 Class of 18 Difference Makers by the Cleveland Jewish News We are proud to honor our Executive Chairman and friend, whose commitment and guidance makes a difference in the lives of our community, our Firm, and the many individuals he serves.

www.beneschlaw.com

DM 20 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

›Elizabeth Klein

Elizabeth Klein vividly remembers her many visits with her grandmother, Janet, in Peoria, Ill., when she was a girl. She recalls her grandmother’s pride in Judaism, her synagogue, her community and the various volunteer efforts she contributed to. While it would take her years to realize it, her grandma Janet and her other grandparents’ beliefs in a strong Jewish world is what set Klein on a lifelong journey of promoting equality, helping those around her and, most importantly, keeping the Jewish religion alive and strong.

“I know I’m here for only a certain amount of time, and I feel a responsibility to do good while I’m here in both the Jewish and general communities,” Klein said. “I am very committed to the Jewish world and I try to make it stronger. It’s really about feeling extremely grateful and wanting to give back. Obviously, there’s enough work that needs to be done in this world right now, and I can’t just sit and watch; it’s not in my nature.”

She dabbled in volunteer work growing up in Cleveland, but it was after she graduated from the University of Wisconsin and moved to New York City when she picked up a copy of The New York Times and read about the AIDS crisis. With her interest piqued, she began her career into the world of fundraising for nonprofit organizations. She continued this work at the American Red Cross in St. Paul, Minn., and co-founded the Hemophilia Foundation for Minnesota and the Dakotas.

“This notion of how lucky and fortunate I

am and that not everybody is – I’ve always felt that responsibility to give back and try to make the world better. I know it sounds corny, but that’s really how I am,” she said.

Those values and her work for AIDS followed her to Cleveland Heights, where she returned with her husband to start a family.

Her husband, Earl, and she made sure to imbue their daughter and son with their pride of Judaism and their own responsibility to the community and the world.

She worked in the community on various projects, such as planning a new playground at Fairfax Elementary School in Cleveland Heights, creating an annual community HIV/ AIDS Passover seder she co-founded with her husband, participating in AIDS walks and donating whatever time she could spare to various causes. She joined the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in 2006, where she held two positions as director of women’s philanthropy and senior development di-rector.

Congratulations Tom Lockshin, Jared miller

and all of this year’s honorees!

From, Lorin and Alan Gottlieb

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

AGE: 56 RESIDENCE: Cleveland Heights SPOUSE: Earl Pike CHILDREN: Leah and Jonah

It was during her 10 years with the Federation that Klein helped push for equal leadership opportunities for women, feeling inspired by the women she worked alongside of and looked up to.

“I was fortunate in my position to work with Federation leaders to take a serious look at how women become involved in the Federation and how to attract all different kinds of Jewish women, all while simultaneously making a concerted effort to move more women into leadership positions across the Jewish community,” she said. “It’s so exciting to see that more than half the board of the Federation are women, that there’s a woman president of the Federation now, that there are women in the pipeline in the Federation, the synagogues, the day schools and social services – that the value women bring to the table is part of the conversation now.”

Klein left her position with the Federation in 2016 to focus on her job leading Case Western Reserve University’s phase two work on its Maltz Performing Arts Center in University

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS SYNAGOGUE: Park Synagogue TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: To sing BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: From a former boss living with hemophilia and AIDS, who one day said to me, ”Do not let hardships determine who you are,” and it has stuck with me ever since.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Cold vodka martinis – served up – with lots of olives FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: My grandmother’s cashmere cardigan sweater FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD: “The Giving Tree”

by Shel Silverstein WHAT ITEMS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR FRIDGE: Don Herman’s dill pickles and more condiments than we’ll ever consume.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY ONE SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE: Invisibility

Circle to raise money to bring theater, dance and music to the center. She also volunteers with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and Community of Hope Cleveland, where she serves as a mentor to a person aging out of the foster care system. She still volunteers with the Federation as a conversation partner with an Israeli woman in Beit Shean over Skype to help improve her English.

“I am proud to be part of a Jewish community that is generous and kind and working to repair the whole world.” Klein said. “I hope that I make my ancestors proud by what I’m trying to accomplish in my life and how their lessons continue to guide me. There are so many incredible people working in our Jewish community that are doing really amazing stuff, and so I feel like definitely working with smart, committed people on a common cause gets me out of bed every morning. I think living the values of Judaism helps me to be a better person.”

– McKenna Corson

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

›Thomas A. Lockshin

Tom Lockshin grew up with role models even he couldn’t believe he had.

His father chaired every Jewish organization he could in Canton, including the Canton Jewish Community Federation, Israel Bonds campaign, Men’s ORT before it became known as just ORT, Jewish Committee on Scouting and was president of Shaaray Torah Synagogue. His mother was president of her Hadassah chapter and volunteered widely. The two of them frequently went on solidarity missions to Israel, including visits following the 1967 and 1973 wars.

When a 16-year-old Lockshin and his younger sister pooled their money to purchase an Israel bond at their synagogue high holiday campaign to follow in their parents’ example, his future interest in Israel Bonds was born, as Lockshin is the executive director of the Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds for Ohio and Kentucky.

“I’m following the legacy from my parents of giving back to the Jewish community and not just being pro Israel but actively trying to help make sure that Israel thrives,” Lockshin said. “Israel has an amazing culture – it’s known as the ‘start-up nation,’ and the inventions and innovation that come from Israel are changing and saving lives all over the world.

Investing in Israel with Israel bonds feels like you’re part of that, and it’s a great feeling.

It gives you meaning, and it makes you feel satisfaction having a profession like that.”

His lengthy history as a volunteer with Israel Bonds before coming into his position as Israel Bonds director in January 2006 has created a constantly burning passion to support the State of Israel. Through his work, he aims to pass on his fire to Jewish community members, foundations, organizations and philanthropies to invest in the Jewish state.

He also works with non-Jewish organizations to create advocacy for Israel and will bring leaders of organizations like KeyBank and PNC Bank to Israel to show them what their investments accomplish. Other institutional investors include Cuyahoga County and the Treasurer of Ohio, who now hold $152 million in Israel bonds, the largest of any state in the United States. And Israel Bonds nationally just surpassed $1 billion in sales in the United States for the seventh consecutive year.

“Connecting people to Israel through Israel Bonds has been really important to

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 21

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

me,” he said. “We’re really trying to connect the next generations to Israel by being an investor in an Israel bond. We’re not a charity – we’re an investment. That makes us unique in Jewish organizations in the world of raising investment in Israel. We focus on investment in the economy of Israel, and it gives me a good feeling to do that.”

Lockshin is honored to be able to help Israel with his career, but he also makes sure to go above and beyond in the local Jewish community to show his support as both an Israel Bonds director and as a Solon resident.

He strives to participate in as many local Jewish events he can to show his support.

“There’s probably a blurring of ‘Tom the person’ and ‘Tom the Israel Bonds director,’ because I want to participate personally as well as professionally,” he said. “I care about the Jewish community personally, which then motivates me professionally. I feel like I’m making a difference through the personal and the professional efforts. People see that the Israel Bonds director is active

His lengthy history as a volunteer with Israel Bonds before coming into his position as Israel Bonds director in January 2006 has created a constantly burning passion to support the State of Israel.

AGE: 64 RESIDENCE: Solon SPOUSE: Beth CHILDREN: Benjamin and Zara SYNAGOGUE: Celebrating Jewish Life

in the community and involved and cares.

So, I wear an Israel Bonds pin on my lapel proudly. I want to see our clients and I want to meet new people, but that’s because it’s

VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Stuffing envelopes for my father’s business GUILTY PLEASURE: Chocolate and desserts TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: I wish I had listened to my mother and learned to play the piano BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: When you fall down get right back up again BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Your reputation for honesty and integrity is paramount VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Smoking cigars WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT: I don’t exercise enough FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: My father’s polyester custom scarlet & gray suit YOUR BIGGEST FEAR: A reduction in support for the state of Israel

not self-serving. It’s all for our mission of supporting Israel.”

– McKenna Corson

Congratulations, Michal!

We thank you for making a difference every day through interest-free lending.

Congratulations, Carole S. Rendon!

You make a difference every day personally and professionally to our family and the community.

You exemplify Tikkun Olam.

We are so proud of all you do.

Harriet & Al Fader and family

The Board and Staff of HFLA of Northeast Ohio

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›Lawrence A. Mack

Lawrence A. Mack realized that when he returned to Cleveland after graduating college and working in New York City for an accounting firm, he wanted to give back to the Jewish community he grew up in. He used his family connections and became involved in Montefiore in the early 1980s, and he’s increased his volunteer work involvement since.

“One of the Jewish values that we have is tikkun olam and I always try to think of how I can follow that value,” Mack said. “I try to bring my expertise and commitment to organizations that are very instilled in me, whether it’s Montefiore who’s really taking care of the elderly, or the JCC, which is really the central community that meets the needs of many community members. It would be where I can add some value and hopefully make lives better for others.”

Mack’s volunteer work includes serving as immediate past board chair and current board member of Montefiore; board member, vice chair and treasurer at the Mandel Jewish Community Center, past board member, current member of the audit committee and chair of the cash committee a part of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland; Federation board representative to Ohio Jewish Communities; board member and b’nai mitzvah usher of The Temple-Tifereth Israel; and board member of the Association of Jewish Aging Services.

Mack’s work with Montefiore has been

long and he’s proud of many changes he’s helped contribute to the organization. He helped find the current CEO of Montefiore, Seth Vilensky, after the past CEO stepped away, requiring an in-depth, nationwide search. He also helped forge an associate board about five years ago targeted to younger community members looking to get involved with the Jewish community with a set-up specifically catered to work with a younger audience. “(Finding Montefiore’s CEO) was a unique experience that not everybody gets the opportunity to do, so that really was important to me,” he said. “It was good for my personal development, but it was also a great way to try to convince people that they should be the CEO, show all the great things that Montefiore does and why this would be an opportunity for them in their career. (The associate board) is hopefully going to be a theater to the bigger board, and we’re trying to meet the needs of millennials and younger people. The group really works well together and it’s really somewhere where

McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman

thanks Milton and Tamar Maltz for their lifelong committment to the community.

We would also like to congratulate all of the 2019 Difference Makers.

Your honor, integrity and generosity are greatly appreciated.

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 64 RESIDENCE: Shaker Heights SYNAGOGUE: The Temple-Tifereth Israel VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Night clean up at Woolworths’ GUILTY PLEASURE: Sweets TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: A good singing voice BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Always tell the truth. If you don’t know the answer, admit it and find out and get back with the correct one. If you make stuff up, you will never be able to carry the lie through. You will slip up somewhere along the way.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Don’t burn bridges. You never know when you will need that person.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Chocolate, especially dark WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT: Singing, you don’t want to be around me when I am singing. It will hurt your ears.

BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People at gym who sit on the machines while on phone

young people desire to go. I thought that was a real accomplishment, and it will help maintain the legacy of Montefiore and bring on new and fresh blood, which is what we need.”

His volunteer work has rewarded him with many unexpected gifts, such as seeing his mother stay at Montefiore during the last few years of her life and really see the work Montefiore does firsthand to assist people.

He also learned many vital skills throughout his various leadership positions that helped him not only in his professional life but his personal life as well.

“I benefited as much or probably more than the people I was working with just about learning how an organization works,” Mack said. “I’m really well versed in the healthcare industry from my Montefiore experience and I understand the camping experience from the JCC - things that I never would have known or would have been involved with if I hadn’t had these experi-

“I benefited as much or probably more than the people I was working with just about learning how an organization works.” ences at different agencies. It’s benefited me just to be a member of the community, but it also has benefited me at work too, with leadership and organizational skills. Being the board chair somewhere, there’s a lot of leadership. You really need to learn a lot about people and how to lead, and those things are beneficial to you in other community work and in your professional life as well.”

Jared Miller Congratulations on your well-deserved honor!

Norma and Dan Geller Respected Advisors. Trusted Advocates.

– McKenna Corson

Fish Furniture

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

Mazel Tov

The entire Fairmount Temple community

CONGRATULATES Cantor Sarah Sager and Dr. Sally Wertheim

for inspiring us, teaching us, and making a difference in so many of our lives.

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Congratulations to

SALLY H. WERTHEIM, PH.D. Dean and Professor Emeritus

and the 2019 Class of Cleveland Jewish News Difference Makers

During five decades of valuable service to John Carroll, Dr. Wertheim was named the first female dean and the first person to hold the title Dean Emeritus.

TEACHER. LEADER. ADVOCATE. DIFFERENCE MAKER. jcu.edu

DM 24 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

›Michal Marcus

For Michal Marcus, the nonsectarian model of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Northeast Ohio resonates deeply.

“In this day and age with so many issues around anti-Semitism and racism,” Marcus said, “It’s just nice to know that we’re living a certain principle and we feel it’s important to again to be supporting our neighbors who may be different from us, who might have different beliefs, different religions and that we’re helping to create some sort of equity among people within interest-free loans.”

Marcus, who has been at the agency for 13 years and executive director for six years, has expanded the mission and the core of the agency.

Under her leadership the agency has raised the amount of money in circulation for loans from around $500,000 a year to more than $1 million this year.

“When I started 13 years ago we had trouble getting all our money out and always had half of it sitting in the bank,” she said.

“We currently have 90% of our loan fund deployed.”

In addition, Marcus has taken steps to make it easier for people in need of loans to get them by initiating a pilot program to cut the guarantors needed to one per loan.

And, she has also initiated credit reporting for loans to borrowers. While that is a costly

step for the agency, it is a step that might help borrowers repair poor credit ratings or get a fresh start.

“We’ve seen increases of 20 to 60 points on credit rating,” she said. “We had one borrower tell us she was able to get a car loan for 5% APR which in the past she might have been eligible for a subprime loan. … So it is making an impact.”

At this point, 12% of the loans are going to Jews, Marcus said, but Jews represent just 2% of the total population.

“We aren’t running out of money for the Jewish community,” she said.

Marcus, 52, said her family has experienced financial setbacks at times.

“I know what it is to live paycheck to paycheck. And to have someone that can believe in you and give that little bit of help makes a difference,” she said, adding that she believes being open about such struggles is healthy for the community.

As part of her work at HFLA, she has also recently begun advocating, notably for the Ohio Payday Loan Law, a bipartisan law that cracked down on interest rate gouging.

Beyond her work at Hebrew Free Loan Association, Marcus has volunteered on

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 52 RESIDENCE: Shaker Heights SPOUSE: Bill SYNAGOGUE: Kol Halev VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Israel Defense Forces GUILTY PLEASURE: Anything from Larder Delicatessen and Bakery BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Be true to yourself BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Appreciate what you have WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT: Poker faces FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: Walking in nature.

WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST: When with my family WHAT LOCAL RESTAURANT HAVE YOU DINED AT MOST THIS YEAR, AND WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING BACK? Ohio Kabob Grill. A refugee family HFLA helped with a loan for their restaurant and I keep going back for their delicious babaganoush and labne.

“I know what it is to live paycheck to paycheck. And to have someone that can believe in you and give that little bit of help makes a difference.” the hotline and face to face at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and has initiated a support group for women who run small non-profits.

Born in Montreal, Marcus moved with her family to Phoenix when she was in elementary school and then to Jerusalem when she was 14, where she graduated from Renee Cassin High School. There she met her husband, Bill Marcus. She served two years in the Israeli air force, then got married and worked for an insurance agency in Israel.

She relocated to the United States 23 years ago as a trailing spouse when her oldest daughter, Ma’ayan was 5.

Having studied at university one semester in Israel, Marcus returned to college at Bryant & Stratton College.

Marcus said she finds her affiliation with the women in the support group to be helpful.

“They’re just a dynamic group of women who I just come away inspired every time I spend time with them,” she said. “On the surface there’s this yes we need to be inclusive but it’s not necessarily happening as well or as quickly as it should.”

– Jane Kaufman

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

IRA KAPLAN:

You make a difference in our lives every single day!

We are so proud of you and your devotion to our family, our community and the Jewish people.

You are a true mensch!

All our love,

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DM 26 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Jared Miller

It was Jared Miller’s parents who instilled in him the values of giving back to the Jewish community. Growing up in the Detroit area, his parents were heavily involved with their synagogue, Temple Israel, and other Jewish organizations in their community. For Miller, it was only natural for him to get involved and follow in his parents’ footsteps.

“Growing up, being engaged in the community was part of family life and what we did,” Miller said. “We have a responsibility to care for others in need. I just think as Jews, we have a responsibility to give back to the community, and if the Jewish community doesn’t look after each other, I’m not sure who will.”

Miller found his way to give back to the community through making sure children receive the best Jewish education possible and grow up in a place safe and encouraging to learn more.

“I’m just a big believer in Jewish day school, and I think anyone who gets involved in Jewish day school life is making a difference in Jewish education and building a positive Jewish future,” he said. “All of us in

the community have a stake in the success of strong, proud and successful Jewish day schools because the statistics show that the leaders in our synagogues, the Federation and the general community disproportionately come from Jewish day school graduates. I believe the more knowledgeable and proud Jewish leaders we have, it’s good for the Jewish community, not only in Cleveland but around the world.”

Miller’s volunteer positions include board member, executive committee member and immediate past board president of the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School in Beachwood, board member of the Jewish Federation Cleveland, vice chair of the Federation’s 2020 Campaign for Jewish Needs, member of the Federation’s overseas con-

“I’m just trying to make an impact in our community to improve and enhance Jewish life and to strengthen the community for today and the future.”

Leading by Example.

Ulmer congratulates Michael Davis Hoenig and all of the honorees on this year’s Cleveland Jewish News List of 18 Difference Makers. Your tremendous dedication and service to the Northeast Ohio Jewish community is an inspiration to us all.

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 43 RESIDENCE: Solon SPOUSE: Stephanie Miller CHILDREN: Ben, 15, Nate, 13, Jay, 9 SYNAGOGUE: Solon Chabad DID YOU HAVE A CHILDHOOD NICKNAME? Mills VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Assistant disc jockey GUILTY PLEASURE: Israeli TV shows FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: Maine WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST: With my wife and kids FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD: “Fab Five” by Mitch Albom WHAT LOCAL RESTAURANT HAVE YOU DINED AT MOST THIS YEAR, AND WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING BACK? Crumb & Spigot. Warm, friendly atmosphere. Excellent food.

nections committee, board member of the Jewish Education Center and board member of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.

“As Jews, we have an obligation to leave this world a better place than we found it,” he said. “I’m just trying to make an impact in our community to improve and enhance Jewish life and to strengthen the community for today and the future.”

One of Miller’s greatest volunteer accomplishments was the $10.9 million renovations that he, along with the school board and donors, helped bring to the Mandel JDS building. The renovations featured an expanded gymnasium completed in 2016; new middle school wing with a state-of-the-art science lab, classrooms, common area, offices and upgraded technology through the building completed in 2017; and renovated entrance, new parent lounge, administrative offices, library, media commons, computer lab and offices for @akiva finished earlier this year. The current renovations being done to the school consisting of converting old administrative offices into fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms that will be done during this coming December or January is

a project Miller approved when he was still board chair.

“I happened to be board chair, but it was a team effort,” Miller said. “We had an aging building that was built in the 1970s that was not intended to be a school, and we transformed the building into a 21st century learning institution, which will hopefully provide a great learning space for the next generations of students,” While Miller has many reasons to give back, he has three reasons always around to remind him to push forward in his volunteer efforts: his three sons, Ben, Nate and Jay, all of whom attended Mandel JDS while Miller was on the board.

“I think they’ll follow in the footsteps of their grandparents and parents and other relatives who’ve made an impact,” Miller said.

“Volunteer work is an essential part of one’s life, and I think that it’s just what a good Jewish citizen does. If recognition comes, that’s wonderful. If not, I just want to make an impact where I can.”

Congratulations Sally Wertheim on your well-deserved honor!

®

Our business begins with you.

®

Norma Geller CLEVELAND

COLUMBUS

CINCINNATI

CHICAGO

BOCA RATON

– McKenna Corson

ULMER.COM

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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Our heartfelt congratulations to

Tamar and Milton Maltz on this well-deserved honor.

The Cleveland Orchestra salutes Milton & Tamar Maltz on receiving the Cleveland Jewish News Lifetime Achievement Award.

It’s been a privilege to install and maintain security window film at The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.

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In 2011, the Maltz Family made a transformational gift to establish the Orchestra’s Center for Future Audiences, which serves more than 40,000 young people every year.

Congratulations, Milt & Tamar, from all of us at The Cleveland Orchestra!

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›August “Augie” Napoli

For Augie Napoli, president and CEO at United Way of Greater Cleveland, a turn to Judaism came later in life.

Born in Pittsburgh to a Catholic family, he attended Catholic schools, but he was well aware of Judaism, with close neighbors and friends in New Kensington who were Jewish.

A graduate of Valley High School in New Kensington, he went on to get his degree from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and worked in the university’s admissions department before moving to Cleveland for a job at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike. It was there that he began his work in development. Napoli was impressed by the fulfillment of the mission of the nuns at Ursuline, but “I didn’t really begin to think about conversion until much later.”

Even after he met Joan Katz, a fourth-generation member of The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, married and agreed to raise their children as Jews, Napoli did not take the step toward conversion. After their son, Gabriel, was born and Joan’s father died, the family began to attend Friday night services regularly to recite Mourner’s Kaddish.

“It was really enveloping and warm,” said Napoli, adding that as his son grew older, he began to feel a pull. “As he was approaching his bar mitzvah, you know how something strikes you? The whole notion of a father

passing the Torah to the son, of course you can’t do that if you’re not Jewish. That really struck a chord.”

He approached then-Senior Rabbi Richard A. Block about conversion and later worked with Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim, who was at The Temple as well. “Jewish values are not all that different from values I grew up with as a Catholic,” he said. Shortly after his son’s bar mitzvah, The Temple sponsored a trip to Israel. At Haim’s suggestion, Napoli held his final conversion ceremony near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which he described as “so meaningful and touching.” He also reaffirmed his commitment in a bar mitzvah later at The Temple.

“I certainly was never a ‘super Catholic’ and I’m not a ‘super Jew’, so I don’t wear it on my sleeve. But I’m so proud to be a part of a wonderful community that has such significance and meaning to me and my family.”

Prior to joining United Way, Napoli held several major fundraising positions in Northeast Ohio, which included leading the final phase of the $350 million capital campaign at the Cleveland Museum of Art and raising $500 million to build the facility that houses the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute

Congratulations to all of the 2019 Difference Makers You have made a lasting contribution to our community.

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 67 RESIDENCE: Little Italy SPOUSE’S NAME: Joan Katz Napoli SON: Gabriel A. Napoli SYNAGOGUE: The Temple-Tifereth Israel DID YOU HAVE A CHILDHOOD NICKNAME: Augie VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Bottle sorter in my father’s soft drink factory GUILTY PLEASURE: Pasta, pastry (the gooier the better) TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Tap dancing BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Bishop Anthony Pilla always told me, “Augie, if you can get over not seeing your name over every door, you can accomplish a lot.”

at the Cleveland Clinic.

Napoli took the job at United Way in 2016, knowing that he was hired by the board there to be a change agent. After just 120 days on the job, he saw that a complete overhaul was needed at every level, from fundraising to funding, if United Way was going to make a bigger and more meaningful dent in the poverty issues that affect our neighbors.

“The gap is growing,” he said, referring to poverty. “Is it acceptable that 66% of the people who live in the city of Cleveland are considered to be functionally illiterate? Or that 50.5% of the children in the city of Cleveland, are living in poverty?”

Napoli has laid out a plan to address both the symptoms of poverty through the Community Hub for Basic Needs, and its root causes – including racism – through the Impact Institute, chaired by Dr. Toby Cosgrove.

He has also enlisted the minority community to help United Way identify priorities through alliances with the United Black Fund and the formation of an Equity Leadership Council.

All of these initiatives require intense collaboration with public and private agencies, a centerpiece of his plan.

“We exist to support the person in need-–

not the delivery system of services, but the person in need,” he emphasized. “We have no agenda other than serving the poor. So many people have preconceived notions about those in need, but I haven’t met one person who doesn’t want to be able to put a roof over their own head and take care of their kids. The people we serve deserve the bestin-class service.”

Within the Jewish community, Napoli has served on The Temple board. In the broader community, he serves on the Cleveland Transformation Alliance, an oversight board of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, as well as the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank’s community advisory board, which is in sync with his role at United Way. “They’re doing so much work on the effects of racism on the economy, and they validate a lot of what we know from social sciences,” he said.

“The work at United Way certainly isn’t easy, especially because of the magnitude of change we’re leading,” he said. “It’s a hard slog, but it’s worth it because you can see the effect on someone’s life.”

– Jane Kaufman

Congratulations Dan Mouthrop!

We congratulate you on winning this year’s Civic

Leadership Award and are grateful for your service on our regional advisory board! Thank you for working to ensure that all voices are heard.

Greater Cleveland 3500 Lorain Ave. Suite 400, Cleveland, OH 44113 • 216.416.4828 • cleveland.teachforamerica.org

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 29

Congratulations

Congratulations to this year’s

18 Difference Makers

Marc Freimuth

for embracing the spirit and practice of

Tikkun Olam!

on your well-deserved honor!

May you go from strength to strength.

– Dvora & David Millstone – Marcia and Jim Murphy

28601 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 600 • Cleveland, OH 44122 216.831.0042 • www.meyersroman.com

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

› Carole Schwartz Rendon For Carole S. Rendon, giving back to the community has been a lifelong commitment.

Besides being active on the board at Park Synagogue and having served on numerous other boards in the legal community, Rendon has tutored in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for many years.

Noting that she started tutoring while working as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and continued as U.S. Attorney, Rendon said the Cleveland Federal Executive Board had a program that encouraged federal employees to tutor in local schools.

Her initial tutee was a first grader at Memorial Elementary School who Rendon met on Wednesday mornings for five years.

“I really developed a wonderful bond with her and just enjoyed being part of a young person’s life and giving her a little bit of oneon-one time,” Rendon said. “And it was super easy because I was just reading to her and she was reading to me – it was all about improving reading skills.”

After she left her job in the federal government in 2017, Rendon joined the partnership at Baker & Hostetler LLP in Cleveland.

The Cleveland-headquartered law firm has a similar program at Orchard Elementary School, which also is part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School system, where Rendon now tutors students in third grade in reading every other

Wednesday.

“Wednesdays must be the magic day,” Rendon said with a laugh. “We have students assigned to us and we do the exact same thing.

We read to them, they read to us, we work on sight words and it’s just all about helping give the students some one-on-one time, which they really need to improve their reading skills.”

Outside of tutoring, Rendon is also involved in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 3Rs program teaching high school students about rights, responsibilities and realities. In the past, she has taught the 3Rs with her husband Michael, who also is a lawyer.

“We teach basic constitutional law,” Rendon explained. “The basics of the constitution: what it means, what your first amendment rights are, what your fifth amendment rights are – that type of programming. It’s really interesting and really fun.”

Rendon also volunteers at Solon High School, helping with the music program, speech and debate team and its mock trial team. A mother of three, Rendon’s youngest son, Seth, is a student at the high school.

Rendon believes everybody has the ability to give back to their community in a variety of ways.

“But I think that professionals, and especially

Mazel Tov

Marc Freimuth, Past Board President Lawrence Mack, Board Member, Treasurer Cantor Sarah Sager, Board Member AND TO ALL THE OTHERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS WELL- DESERVED HONOR

Your Friends at The J Mindy Davidson Board Chair

Michael G. Hyman President & CEO

Mandel Jewish Community Center

AGE: 56 RESIDENCE: Solon SPOUSE: Michael J. Rendon CHILDREN: Daniel Honold, 30; Alexander Honold, 28; Seth Rendon, 16

legal professionals, have the ability to do a lot, both in terms of providing pro bono legal services and educational programming in the community, but also providing leadership and guidance,” Rendon said. “The legal profession here in Cleveland is one of the real pillars of our community.”

She often volunteers to speak through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association and said her goal is to bring educational programs to the legal community and beyond.

Rendon said her family has a long history of commitment to the community as a whole.

Talking about her mother Harriet Fader, Rendon said, in her retirement she began coaching female executives in the nonprofit world, and now at 82 years old she is still active on boards.

“She’s one of those people who just never says no,” Rendon added. “She always has time.

She always has energy. She is always willing to give to a cause that she cares about.”

Rendon hopes to instill similar values in her three sons.

Her oldest Daniel, 30, is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia and “totally engaged in the same sort of commitment to the justice system that always spoke to my heart,” she explained. Her middle son Alex, 28, is getting a Ph.D. in education and technology

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS SYNAGOGUE: Park Synagogue BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Tomorrow isn’t promised, so be grateful in today. Work never stops, but you can. Don’t skip the choir concert – it happens whether you are there or not.

WHEN YOU ARE HAPPIEST: When our children are home and we are sitting together around our dining room table VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Red wine FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING: My Solon High School marching band sweatshirt BIGGEST FEAR: Not having enough years in this lifetime.

at the University of Michigan. “(He) is really focused on education as the way to help end poverty in America,” Rendon added.

Judaism has informed every aspect of Rendon’s life.

“It’s not just a religion that you go to synagogue and practice or you keep kosher in your home and practice,” she said. “It’s a religion that informs the way that you live and the way that you see the world.”

The attorney believes it’s her job to make the world a better place today than it was yesterday, and a better place tomorrow than it is today.

“I do think that whole sense o ftikkun olam has really informed how I view my job here as a person,” Rendon said. “That might be my job as a lawyer, my job as a wife, my job as a mother, my job as a daughter, my job as a friend. It informs my daily life.”

Describing her family as the most important part of her life, Rendon said everything else is secondary to that.

“That’s really been the center piece of my life and that came directly from my parents,” Rendon said. “The family first adage has truly been my guidepost.”

Congratulations

to our CEO, Dan Moulthrop We are proud to support you in this exciting achievement and are grateful for your unwavering vision and leadership.

– Skylar Dubelko

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Cantor Sarah Sager

Cantor Sarah Sager said she ended up in her profession by accident.

Sager graduated from Niles West High School in Skokie, Ill., and decided to pursue a professional career while at Brown University in Providence, R.I. After accelerating her undergraduate studies at Brown and enrolling at New England Conservatory in a master’s program, while finishing her master’s thesis she decided to try her luck in New York City, where she landed an apartment on the Upper West Side. A friend told her that Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music (now the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music) was accepting women and that she might want to consider that as a way of supporting herself.

“I got on my bicycle and I rode over to this building on West 68th Street and I went up to the office and walked up to a woman sitting behind the desk and said I’d like to apply for the cantorial school,” Sager said.

“She said, ‘Well, we’re accepting applications for next year. I said, ‘Well, I’d like to go now.’”

The woman told Sager if she returned the application form quickly, she would process it quickly.

“One or two days later I went back and marched up to the main office again,” Sager said. “She looks up from her desk. She looked at me and said, ‘Oh, you’re back.’”

Sager told her she was there to return her application. The cantorial entrance committee happened to be meeting that day for the following year’s applicants.

“The head of the committee was standing right nearby this exchange that I was having. He saw me and said, ‘Could you sing for us now?’” Sager recalled. “So I got back on my bicycle, rode back to my apartment, changed my clothes, I grabbed two pieces of music off my piano. I got into a taxi and went back to the school of sacred music and I sang for them right then and there. And as I recall it was on a Thursday and on Monday I was in school.”

Sager has been at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple since 1980. She is the longest-serving member of the clergy at the

“I’m not one of those people who believes that life is lived in these peak moments...I do believe life is lived day by day.

And I believe that’s where Judaism has its greatest message for all of us.”

Beachwood congregation and in July will move to a part-time role as cantor laureate.

While the nature of her work offers her daily highlights, a standout moment in her career arose indirectly from her invitation to be a scholar-in-residence in the early 1990s for a regional assembly of Women of Reform Judaism. In her remarks, she charged the group to commission a women’s commentary. In 1993, she was invited to be keynote speaker of the national convention. There she offered the same charge.

With more than 200 female scholars contributing, “Torah: A Women’s Commentary” was published in 2008. Sager penned the preface and a contemporary commentary on Bechukotai.

“I wanted it to be scholarly,” Sager said.

“Torah does speak to me.”

Sager said she finds particular settings to liturgical texts work and that others don’t.

“It’s actually sometimes a matter of mood and circumstance than even composer,” she said. “The (Max) Janowski Avinu Malkheinu is an absolute favorite of course.”

Asked about her ethical grounding, Sager spoke of her parents, Richard and the late Joy Sager.

“Over and over again, I think of her as someone who just had a sense of how one should be in the world,” she said. “You knew there was a right way of being. And she always lived by that.”

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 31

AGE: 70 RESIDENCE: Shaker Heights CHILDREN: Rabbi Jennifer (Michael) Hartman, Jonathan Gertman SYNAGOGUE: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Hostess in a neighborhood restaurant TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Speed reading BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Just be yourself.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: Life comes around a corner when you’re looking straight ahead WHAT ARE YOU BAD AT: Being decisive WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST: With my children FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD: “All of a Kind Family,” by Sydney Taylor

Notwithstanding her pride in the women’s commentary, Sager said she treasures each day on the job.

“Every day is a highlight in my career,” she said. “And that really is true. Because that’s the work. And the truth is that I’m not one of those people who believes that life is lived in

these peak moments. Because I really don’t.

I do believe life is lived day by day. And I believe that’s where Judaism has its greatest message for all of us.”

– Jane Kaufman

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

2019 DIFFERENCE MAKER

Thanks to Your Vision, We Will Help Others Save Theirs Bascom Palmer Eye Institute congratulates Tamar and Milton Maltz for making a difference.

Their significant support of vision research is an inspiration for all the world to see.

We would like to congratulate 2019 Difference Maker, August “Augie” Napoli for exemplifying compassion, integrity and generosity for the city of Cleveland.

Your friends at bascompalmer.org

DM 32 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Michele Weiss

AGE: 44 RESIDENCE: University Heights SPOUSE: Marcelo Weiss SYNAGOGUE: Zichron Chaim GUILTY PLEASURE: Candy Crush TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Play the harp BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: If you don’t ask the RECEIVED answer is always no FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: Simple black dress WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST: When my children are all at home FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation

Michele Weiss has worked at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland in Cleveland Heights for 20 years, but in her “spare time,” she’s also a city councilperson, runs a nonprofit organization and volunteers.

In her role as controller at Hebrew Academy, the largest Jewish day school in Ohio, Weiss handles day-to-day operations, the finances and heads the tuition committee.

Likening her position there to that of a COO, Weiss noted the academy is not where her commitment to the community ends.

Weiss said she enjoys being a member of University Heights City Council.

“I love being a part of it,” she said. “A lot of the Jewish community lives in University Heights. And just the Greater Cleveland community, I have a lot of involvement in also.”

She also runs a nonprofit called Amatz Initiative.

“It’s an educational organization for Jewish day schools to ensure that, when they graduate school, they’re living a God-cen-

“I’m passionate about helping the community and being a servant leader.”

tered life and it can perpetuate over to the next generation,” Weiss esaid.

Before starting the organization, she said the thought “our kids in Jewish day schools are graduating without a strong connection to God” had been in “the back of (her) head for awhile.”

“And we see this across the whole spectrum, from Reform all the way to Chasidic, it’s the same, and it’s because of society and the generation,” Weiss said. “There’s so many things thrown at these kids now that never were before, and it’s hard for them to kind of balance everything out.”

So Weiss set out to change that. Noting the organization is now in its third year, Weiss said it’s been very successful.

“We started out kind of small. We started with the girls’ schools. So there’s 150 girls schools in America,” Weiss said. “Our goal is to get every Jewish day school.”

The Amatz Initiative has 60 schools in its program.

The organization takes a three-pronged approach. First, bringing principals to Eretz Yisroel on a weeklong mission, Weiss said the Amatz Initiative’s goal is to enact change

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

from the top down.

Noting they take 30 principals each summer, Weiss explained the trip gives these educators a chance to “disconnect to reconnect” and develop a network.

After the trip, the Amatz Initiative trains three teachers in each school on “how to give over that love of God to their kids,” and provides the schools with a stipend.

“So it’s a yearlong program,” Weiss said.

“Then in the summer we have a retreat for the principals and for their staff.”

Weiss is also a commissioner for the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism and is a presidential nominee for the community relations committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

“I also am on the board of Yachad, which is an organization for developmentally disabled adults and teens,” Weiss said. She became involved with Yachad many years ago “through NCSY, so that’s kind of been

Congratulations!

near and dear to my heart since I was a teenager.”

Reflecting on her community involvement, she said it falls into three categories.

At the Hebrew Academy, “I’m very fortunate to be a part of something in Cleveland that directly deals with the Jewish community.,” Weiss said. “And then city council, again, very fortunate because it’s the community at large, not just the Jewish community. The nonprofit is really the United States, which is kind of amazing that it just kind of fell into three buckets. I’m passionate about helping the community and being a servant leader. I think servant leadership is very important in the Jewish community and I hope just to be able to keep doing that.”

In 2018, Weiss was named University Heights public official of the year.

– Skylar Dubelko

The Board, Staff, Clients and Volunteers of Cleveland Sight Center Congratulate

STEVE & JUDY WILLENSKY SALLY WERTHEIM On Being Named 2019 Difference Makers!

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

Yasher Koach

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 33

Congratulations to the Menorah Park 2019 CJN Difference Maker

Ira Kaplan and to all the Honorees

Marc Freimuth on your well-deserved recognition.

™ Menorah Park • 27100 Cedar Rd. • Beachwood, OH 44122

30195 Chagrin Blvd # 300 • Pepper Pike, OH 44124 (216) 292-3300

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216-831-6500 • MenorahPark.org

Mazel Tov

•

To the 2019 CJN 18 Difference Makers, to Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees Tamar and Milton Maltz and to Achievement Award Recipient Dan Moulthrop.

The Feldman, Wehn, Zieve Family Barry Feldman, Inductee 2015 Sandy Zieve, Inductee 2017

DM 34 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Lauren Werber

Temple B’nai Abraham Rabbi Lauren Werber tries to engage her community in Elyria.

“It’s a very tight-knit community and very much a family,” Werber said. “The way the community comes together is a little different when you’re a small community, among a lot of people who aren’t Jewish. So the needs are a little bit different.”

Werber has long advocated for issues that she deems important, both locally and nationally.

“Over the years it’s been different things,” said Werber, noting she’s lobbied for gun violence awareness, common sense gun laws and local criminal justice reform.

She has also spoken on topics such as

“Judaism is fundamentally about how we act in the world, and how we help to perfect the world, and how we help to treat every person with dignity and honor.”

reproductive rights and appeared on local television to discuss safe and legal access to abortion, the #MeToo movement, as well as immigration reform.

“And I try to be involved with poverty and homelessness issues as much as I can, as well, locally,” Werber said.

Explaining her parents did volunteer work throughout her youth, Werber said, they were “always very open about how they felt about issues and (made) us very aware that we were among the fortunate ones and that meant that we had an obligation to other people.”

Although she said, “I wouldn’t put a date on it,” Werber recalls attending a march in Washington, D.C., in support of Russian refuseniks during her childhood.

“I really remember going to Washington and marching with friends at that point,” she said.

Werber also marched for reproductive choice during those years.

She credits her early volunteer work to her synagogue. Noting she “grew up in (Temple) Emanu El,” Werber said, “They were very social justice oriented.”

Werber knew she wanted to be a rabbi in high school. She said she realized how import-

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18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

RESIDENCE: Orange SPOUSE: Brian Kelly CHILDREN: Tess, 19; Sam, 16; Sarah, 14 SYNAGOGUE: Temple B’nai Abraham FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Babysitting GUILTY PLEASURE: Dancing in my kitchen TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Singing. I was born for Broadway, except that I can’t sing on key BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED: Make an adventure out of it BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: You have to live with yourself, meaning that you need to do what you think is right even when others’ behavior may justify you acting differently.

VICE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Cadbury Roasted Almond chocolate bars FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU OWN: Old T-shirt from St. Mary’s College of Maryland ant Judaism was to her after transferring to a new school in the 11th grade “that had far fewer Jews.”

“Because that’s when I had to make a decision to stand out and to practice,” Werber said. “I really tried to think of other options as well as the rabbinate, but social justice was the biggest draw for me.”

Her work as a rabbi allows her to explore social justice work while also being intimately involved in people’s lives, teach and be part of a community.

“It was a whole lot of things in one job that really appealed to me,” Werber said. “It didn’t seem as great to do one of those things when you can do it all in one job.”

Relationships Werber has cultivated with local clergy in Lorain County have led to interfaith services and community action, particularly in the areas of mental health and addictive behaviors, as well as women’s issues.

After the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, Werber organized and led a Solidarity

Shabbat service at her temple, which was attended by over 250 people. The evening of two consecutive terrorist shooting attacks at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, she spoke on the steps of Cleveland City Hall as part of the vigil held by the Islamic Center of Cleveland.

And to address the immigration crisis, Werber spoke at an event aimed at stopping ICE raids and family separations.

Noting there are many ways to be socially conscious, Werber said, for her, her family, her community and Judaism encouraged activism.

“I think our teachings are very clear,” she said. “Judaism is fundamentally about how we act in the world, and how we help to perfect the world, and how we help to treat every person with dignity and honor. We think of religion as a spiritual endeavor, and it is that, but Judaism is also really practical and really concerned with how we create a just society.”

– Skylar Dubelko

7:00pm | Executive Caterers at Landerhaven

Very Special Guest Speaker

Eric D. Fingerhut President, Jewish Federations of North America Free and open to the community | Register online at jfsa-cleveland.org

JFSA provides individuals and families solutions to face life’s challenges with confidence.

Kosher dietary laws observed.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION

of Cleveland

Mazal Tov to our Mandel JDS Difference Makers!

Jared Miller, Mandel JDS Parent & Past Board Chair Marc W. Freimuth, Alumni Parent & Past Board Chair Michal Marcus, Mandel JDS Alumni Parent Rabbi Lauren Werber, Mandel JDS Alumni Parent

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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DM 36 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

›Sally H. Wertheim, Ph. D.

Sally Wertheim has been involved in both Cleveland’s Jewish and general communities for many years.

“Cause I’m old,” Wertheim said with a laugh.

Wertheim began volunteering at an early age, but noted it was rarely with her family.

“My family was never into volunteering,” she said. “But it was something I believed people should do.”

As a high school student, Wertheim ran a group called “Sally’s Squirts,” which did volunteer work through the Jewish Community Center.

“Which in those years was Arlington House,” Wertheim said. “‘Cause I lived in the Glenville neighborhood.”

Wertheim has always been able to make a contribution, she said, explaining she has long been active on a number of boards including the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the

Mandel Foundation and Milestones Autism Resources.

Other boards Wertheim has served on include Facing History, the Begun Foundation, the Miller Good Foundation, the Gerson Foundation and the Cleveland Commission on Poverty of the Cleveland Foundation.

Noting she was the first female president of the Federation’s board, Wertheim said, “It was something I thought was important, because I was always willing to promote women to do things and they never let women.”

Of the women she has mentored, Wertheim said one key piece of advice she has given is that “they’re very competent.”

“And I’m not telling them they’re competent because they’re women,” she added. “It’s because they’re people.”

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

AGE: 87 RESIDENCE: Pepper Pike SPOUSE: Stanley E. Wertheim SYNAGOGUE: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple CHILDHOOD NICKNAME: Child GUILTY PLEASURE: Eating ice cream after dinner TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: I’m blessed to have all the talents I need FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: Sitting on the couch with Stanley BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Automated telephone calls BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN: It’s a sign of strength to ask for help

A very special shout-out to

Mazel Tov to all the

2019 Difference Makers!

We are proud of your many accomplishments – each of you inspire all of us!

our dear friends and supporters

Tamar & Milton Maltz on receiving the

Lifetime Achievement Award!

Our deep gratitude and congratulations also go to Montefiore board members extraordinaire

Larry Mack, Sally Wertheim and Judy & Steve Willensky for receiving this prestigious honor!

Our heartfelt thanks for all you do for our residents and employees.

Your colleagues and friends from Monterfiore and The Weils

Noting she helped Milestones’ female founder set up the organization’s board, Wertheim said, “That’s a lot of what I’ve done for people.”

Wertheim said she encouraged her children to give back to the community early on.

“We used to do a lot of projects in the community,” she said.

“For the Jewish holidays, we would collect stuff and give it away.”

During that time, she was working full time as a professor at John Carroll University in University Heights.

“My fields is the foundations, the history and philosophy of education,” Wertheim said. “I taught teachers. I thought it was a privilege.”

Noting John Carroll University was an all male college for many years, Wertheim said, when they became coed, “I was one of the first women they hired.”

She became the coordinator of teacher education and chair of the department of education at John Carroll University in 1976. Ten years later, Wertheim was appointed the first woman dean of the graduate school and director of faculty research and grants.

She later held roles such as the director of planning and assessment, the interim dean of the college of arts and sciences and also the graduate school.

Wertheim now serves as dean emeritus and professor emeritus at the university, a role she has held since 2008.

According to Wertheim, her husband, Stanley, whom she married at age 18, always motivated her to be active in the community and pursue new opportunities.

“He’s always encouraged me,” she said. “Who would have done half these things?”

Wertheim said he would say, ‘You can do it, Sally. Do it.”

“He’s my big promoter,” she said. “I don’t need a promoter, but he’s really a good guy.”

Wertheim believes her Jewish teachings contributed to her desire to give back.

“It’s the belief system,” she said, matter-of-factly. “You know, we take care of each other.”

– Skylar Dubelko

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

join us

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | DM 37

Jstyle Winter Premiere Party Introducing the 2019 Singles Issue

Thursday, December 12 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Wine Spot - 2271 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights

Purchase $18 tickets at jstylemagazine.com/winterparty Tickets include light bites, beer, wine and a gift bag

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Venue Sponsor

Peggy Garr, Howard Hanna

For sponsorship opportunities contact Gina Lloyd at 216-342-5196 or glloyd@cjn.org

B tstrap Bash JOIN US Join us for a strolling dinner by Spice Catering Co. and dancing in celebration of entrepreneurship. The evening will showcase our region’s promising startups and the 2nd annual BBB Spark Award. Proceeds from the Bootstrap Bash will assist LaunchHouse in continuing to provide much of its educational programs and services to the entrepreneurial community for free.

Purchase tickets at www.launchhouse.com/bootstrap-bash

When Saturday,

January 25, 2020 7:30 pm

Presenter:

Where Red Space

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Accelerators:

Ticket Price $100

before 12/15/19

Co-Chairs

Jill & Brad Helfman Connie & Neil Waxman

$125 after 12/15/19

Incubators:

For sponsorship opportunities contact Gina Lloyd at 216-342-5196 or gina@launchhouse.com.

DM 38 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

›Steven Willensky and Judy Klein Willensky When Steve Willenksy and Judy Klein Willensky moved back to the Cleveland area 17 years ago, one of the couple’s priorities was to give back to the local community.

“Our major commitment to ourselves was that we were going to get involved in the community. We set it upon ourselves to make sure that happened,” Judy said.

And the Gates Mills couple did just that.

Judy Willensky is former vice chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and serves on numerous Federation committees and boards, in addition to serving on the board at Montefiore in Beachwood and Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike, where she is also former vice president.

Steve Willensky is former board chairman at Montefiore and has served on the boards

The Willenskys like to be hands-on with the organizations they’re involved with, so spreading themselves too thin isn’t the right strategy.

at Park Synagogue, the Federation and the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland. They are also founding co-chairs of Shining Star CLE, a solo-singing competition presented by Montefiore for Northeast Ohio high school students.

The Willenskys, who met while working at General Electric, both held high-pressure jobs that required a large amount of travel.

“We sort of hit the point where we said, ‘We need to slow down a little bit.’ I think we sort of came to the realization that we weren’t going to wait until we were 65 or 70 years old to get involved,” Steve Willensky said.

“We were fortunate that we did well in our business careers and we really wanted to sort of step back and say it’s not all about business. We needed to help organizations and people who were a little less fortunate than we were,” he added.

For Judy, the concept of becoming involved in community work was instilled in her at a young age.

“I grew up here and my parents were very involved in the community,” she said. “They used to hold quiet board meetings in our

Congratulations

to the 2019 class of 18 Difference Makers

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AGES: Both are 65 RESIDENCE: Gates Mills CHILDREN: Cali, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, she’s 5 SYNAGOGUE: Park Synagogue VERY FIRST JOB YOU WERE HIRED FOR: Judy, Park Day Camp counselor; Steve, family paint store GUILTY PLEASURE: Judy – strawberry ice cream; Steve – Ketle One on the Rocks, Wedge of Lemon and three blue cheese olives TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD: Judy, play the piano; Steve, professional singing voice BEST ADVICE THEY EVER RECEIVED: Take the job at General Electric. That’s where we met.

BEST ADVICE THEY’VE EVER GIVEN: Get involved in the community. You’ll get back more than you give.

FAVORITE PLACE TO UNWIND: They both love to watch the ocean in Southern California WHEN ARE THEY HAPPIEST: Getting together with family and friends FAVORITE BOOK FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD: Judy, “Gone With the Wind”; Steve, “The Little Prince” WHAT LOCAL RESTAURANT HAVE YOU DINED AT MOST THIS YEAR, AND WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING BACK? Sara’s Place.

It’s walking distance from our house, food is great, service is consistent, patio is lovely in the summer.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY ONE SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE: Fly us to California in 15 minutes

living room with their friends planning for the various organizations that they were involved in. That was in my DNA.” The key to the couple’s success has been committing to a handful of organizations that they feel passionate about. The Willenskys like to be hands-on with the organizations they’re involved with, so spreading themselves too thin isn’t the right strategy.

“I think the fact that we’ve been able to really go deep into organizations like Montefiore and the Federation and Park Synagogue has enabled us to be more impactful,” Steve said. “At the end of the day, anybody can write a check to these organizations, and they need people like that in the organization because every nonprofit needs funding. The reality is that a lot of these nonprofits have major strategic issues they’re dealing with. …

Where they really need the help is to be able to make major strategic moves that will ensure their survival and give them the ability to help the less fortunate in the community.

“For me, I get more satisfaction by being involved and seeing how that plays out in the organization than just writing a check and not even knowing what the organization does.”

For other community members who may want to get involved but aren’t sure where to start, Judy’s advice is simple: Pick one organization and get started.

“We’re so fortunate in this community to have outstanding organizations and agencies and causes that all need expertise and support,” she said. “It can be overwhelming to look at the vast array of where you could specifically make an impact, but do an analysis and understand those opportunities. I think that most organizations would welcome individuals with open arms who are willing to give their time and energy and expertise.”

“There are opportunities everywhere,” Steve added. “Find something you can be passionate about.”

– Kristen Mott

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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KOL HAKAVOD TO OUR CO-FOUNDERS

TAMAR & MILTON MALTZ Thank you for generously sharing with us and all of Northeast Ohio your passion for Jewish history and your vision for a more inclusive future.

From all of us at the Maltz Museum

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NOVEMBER 22, 2019

18 DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Congratulations to all of the Difference Makers.

Your contributions to our community are invaluable.

STEPHEN L. RUDOLPH, MBA, CPA, AIF® President

STANLEY J. MAJKRZAK, CFP®, AIF®, CPA Managing Director

23240 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 880 Cleveland, OH 44122 216-595-6400

MARLA K. PETTI,

CPA/PFS, AEP® Director of Financial Planning Services

CRAIG S. PETTI, RFC® AIF® Principal

ANDREW J. MARUSIC, AIF® Financial Advisor

NICHOLAS MCCREARY, CFP® Financial Advisor

Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network® (CFN), a Registered Investment Adviser. Additional advisory services may be offered through HW Financial Advisors which are separate and unrelated to CFN.