The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona will wrap up its 70th anniversary year at its annual meeting and awards celebration. The salute to “The Next 70” will be held Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.
Jeff Artzi and Joyce Stuehringer will be honored as Man of the Year and Woman of the Year.
“Jeff’s infectious enthusiasm, creativity, and passion for Jewish community has been a blessing to our Jewish community. Whether as chair of the Weintraub Israel Center and co-leader of its first Israel trip, or as co-chair of the Federation’s Together Event — Jeff’s leadership has resulted in one community success after another,” says Stu Mellan, JFSA president and CEO.
“Joyce emanates a warmth and an elegance that draws people around her,” says Mellan. “Her willingness to assume leadership has continued recently as she served as chair of Women’s Philanthropy for the Federation, as well as giving leadership to the Disability Task Force through the Tucson Jewish Community Center.”
Award winners will receive “Feddys,” metal and glass awards custom designed by local artist Lynne Rae Lowe.
Avi Erbst will receive the Gary I. Sarver Young Man of the Year Award and Amy Beyer will receive the Gary I. Sarver Young Woman of the Year Award. These awards include stipends to be applied toward an Israel mission or attendance at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will receive a Special Recognition Award.
Todd Rockoff, president and CEO of the Tucson J, will be honored as the Ben and Betty Brook Community Professional of the Year.
The Rabbi Arthur R. Oleisky Teen Recognition Award will go to Rachel Davenport.
The Ben and Sally Smith Memorial College Youth Award, determined by a committee of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, will be presented to Daniela Tascarella.
The Meyer and Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award will be presented to Homicide Survivors, a nonprofit victim assistance organization.
Sister Jose Women’s Center, the focus of the Federation’s 70th anniversary mitzvah project, will be highlighted.
The ceremony will include the election and installation of the Federation’s 2017-18 officers and directors. The Federation will honor Tom Warne as outgoing chair, Deborah Oseran as outgoing Campaign chair, Madeline Friedman as outgoing Women’s Philanthropy Campaign chair and Jim Whitehill for 20 years of board service.
Michael Shiner and Sarah Singer are co-chairs of the 2017 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration and Shelly Silverman and Stuart Shatken co-chaired the awards committee.
An ice cream social will follow the presentations. The cost of the event is $5. RSVP at jfsa.org or call 577-9393 for more information.
