Temple Beth El Awards Prestigious Michelle Miller Award to Lindsay Pfeffer

August 2023

By Jonathan Friedman

Each spring, Temple Beth El celebrates a tradition of commitment and community with the Michelle Miller Award for Jewish Commitment. This award, presented by Dr. Fred and Joy Miller in memory of their daughter, Michelle, acknowledges the exceptional dedication of a Confirmation student.

This year, Temple Beth El is proud to announce Lindsay Pfeffer as the award recipient. Lindsay has shown outstanding leadership through her active participation in Temple Beth El and Shalom Park activities, insightful Confirmation class contributions, and her leadership during a Reform Action Center trip the Confirmation class took to Washington, D.C., earlier in the spring.

Lindsay’s commitment extends beyond Confirmation class, as she serves as a fourth-grade madricha and a b’nei mitzvah tutor. Her dedication shines through her involvement with Chai Chaverim, one of Charlotte’s BBYO chapters, where she has been elected as president for the upcoming year.

Upon receiving the award, Lindsay reflected, “I was extremely touched by the Millers’ story and hope to honor Michelle’s legacy. My goal is to one day pay the Millers back for this honor by donating to the endowment so future recipients can feel as special as I did that night.”

Jamie Pfeffer, Lindsay’s mother, added, “Listening to the Millers’ story brought tears to my eyes. And then, as I realized the young lady they were describing as the award recipient was my daughter, I was touched and so proud.”

The Michelle Miller Award continues to inspire commitment in the Temple Beth El community, and this year, the congregation is proud of Lindsay Pfeffer, a young woman whose spirit embodies Michelle’s legacy and continues to inspire our congregation.