Jewish Federation Presents Medal of Honor at Awards Brunch

More than 150 guests attended the Dec. 11 Donor Appreciation and Awards Brunch hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix in the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus Social Hall. The organization presented its highest award, the Medal of Honor, to Joel Kramer.

Longtime friend and business partner Leonard Miller presented the award. A Phoenix Suns player from 1978 to 1983, Kramer is the first Medal of Honor recipient to be a former professional athlete. While accepting the honor, Kramer shared how Miller and Bob Gottschalk encouraged increased involvement in the Jewish community, first with the Valley of the Sun JCC and later with the Federation. Kramer has been board chair of both the Federation and the Valley of the Sun JCC and served in leadership roles with numerous other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, the Federation presented the 2016 Belle Latchman Award to Or Tzion’s Project Isaiah, collecting food and raising money for Jewish Free Loan to help families in needs. Lily Behboodi, vice chair of Federation NowGen, received the Lee Amanda Young Leadership Award for her service to the Federation and to the community.

Outgoing leadership were also honored: Steven Schwarz, outgoing board chairman; David Weiner, outgoing campaign chairman; Esther and Don Schon, MD, outgoing major gifts chairs; Julee Landau Shahon, outgoing Women’s Philanthropy chairwoman; and Sally Oscherwitz, outgoing Women’s Philanthropy campaign chairwoman.

American-born IDF veteran Izzy Ezagui rounded out the inspirational morning, sharing his story of how he lost his arm at age 18 as he and his special forces unit were patrolling the Gaza border in 2008.

PHOTOS COURTESY JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PHOENIX

 

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