Temple Emanu-El will honor Temple member and local humanitarian Jill Rich at a brunch on Sunday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Skyline Country Club.
Honored by President George H.W. Bush, charitable organizations and businesses throughout Arizona for her accomplishments over the years, Rich “is truly a treasured local hero,” says Temple President Jason Feld.
Along with serving as Temple’s social action chair and fundraising chair for many outreach events, says Feld, “she plays a leadership role with the American Red Cross, Operation Deep Freeze/Project Hospitality, Lost Boys of Sudan, Mitzvah Corps, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, the FEMA board, the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless, and the Jewish Community Relations Council, just to name a few.”
“Wherever there is a need, Jill is there making a difference. Perhaps the greatest tribute to Jill and one that truly reaches to the very core of her kindness, charity, and compassion comes from one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, Bior Keech,” says Feld.
“She cares for us,” says Keech. “She comforts us, feeds us and gives us shelter. She sits with us when we are sick and helps meet all our physical and emotional needs. She has proven through her work with all of us who struggle in our new country that energy, perseverance, and willingness to work hard will get us where we need to be and not only allow us to have a better life but will allow us to help make a difference in other people’s lives just as she has in ours. She is a mentor to us. She is a mother to us. She loves us as if we were her own children and her care has no limits.”
The brunch is $40 and prepaid reservations are required. Sponsorships are available. RSVP to Donna Beyer, executive director of Temple Emanu-El, at 327-4501 or dbeyer@templeemanueltucson.org, or to Feld at jasongale@comcast.net.
