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Looking Back: Year 2006
Deborah Block Receives Hadassah Leadership Award
Debby Block of The Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah has been named a recipient of the Twentieth Annual Hadassah National Leadership Award. This award pays tribute to members whose leadership accomplishments within Hadassah and civic, educational and cultural organizations reflect Hadassah’s dedication to the principles of the volunteer ethic. Award recipients are selected by their peers and represent a wide range of achievements.
“Leadership often means taking risks, being able to face criticism, developing vision and carrying through a project despite all complications,” said June Walker, National President of Hadassah. “Anyone who has dared to be a leader understands the challenges. How delighted we are to welcome Debby into the Hadassah family as the recipient of the Hadassah National Leadership Award.”
“Debby’s past achievements have led to this well-deserved honor, and we look forward to sharing in her future accomplishments,” said Janice Bernstein, Past President of the Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah.
Debby moved to Charlotte 13 years ago with her husband, David, and sons, Jeremy and Daniel, from Montreal, Canada.
She began working as a teacher in the Charlotte Jewish Preschool, and eventually became the preschool director. Several years later she left that position to pursue a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
She was soon called upon to be the director of the Temple Israel Religious School, which she is currently doing.
Debby joined the Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah Board of Directors as a Vice President of Education. She immersed herself in this position, and is responsible for getting the Lunch ‘n’ Learn monthly session going on a consistent basis. She and her co-VP, Roz Cooper held several Hadassah Education day events. Debby saw a gap in the Charlotte Jewish Community; we had no Jewish Film Festival. With help from the members of the Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah and other community members, Debby and co-Chair, Amy Krakovitz, got the First Annual Jewish Film Fest off the ground. Each year it has grown, and it will continue to grow under her direction. The Charlotte Jewish Community is grateful to Debby Block for all she is doing to promote Jewish learning in our town. The Charlotte Chapter of Hadassah is proud to recognize Debby by bestowing upon her, the National Leadership Award.
With 1,000 chapters in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Hadassah is the largest women’s Jewish and largest Zionist organization in the United States celebrating 94 years of service rooted in health care, education child rescue and rehabilitation.
