Grinspoon Amber Awards to honor Jewish communal professionals
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) launched the Grinspoon Amber Awards at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) 2024 General Assembly gathering in Washington, DC. The awards will honor five exceptional professionals annually in the Jewish communal field, celebrating their impact, leadership, and commitment to a vibrant Jewish future.
Nominations for the first awards are open and will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on January 31, 2025.
The awards will honor professionals who have made significant contributions to the Jewish communal field through remarkable achievements, deep dedication to Jewish values, effective bridge-building across diverse groups, or courage in overcoming challenges.
The awards were conceived of by foundation founder Harold Grinspoon, who said, “The Jewish world benefits tremendously from the most amazing, creative people who work to enhance Judaism around the world. This is a small way to show our appreciation, my appreciation, and the foundation’s appreciation.”
Foundation president Winnie Sandler Grinspoon said, “Outstanding professionals in our community dedicate themselves to the hard work of nurturing Jewish life, often behind the scenes, and they do it with passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to others.”
“When we considered who could be the right partner for this project,” she said, “JFNA was the obvious choice; they are deeply committed to supporting Jewish professionals in countless ways.”
The first winners will be announced a year from now at the JFNA General Assembly. In addition to a $10,000 prize, each winner will select two other professionals to receive Peer Recognition Grants of $2,500 each.
“Partnering with the HGF on this initiative perfectly aligns with our mission to support and uplift the dedicated professionals who sustain and enrich Jewish life,” said JFNA president and CEO Eric Fingerhut. “At a time when our communities face unprecedented challenges, these awards not only honor individual excellence but also reinforce a culture of appreciation and shared commitment that strengthens our community as a whole.”
Eligible nominees will receive an invitation to apply for the award. Nominees interested in being considered will be required to complete an application and submit all necessary documents by 5 p.m. ET on March 20, 2025.
Since founding HGF in 1991, Grinspoon has championed initiatives that enrich Jewish life and learning. The HGF’s programs include PJ Library, JCamp 180, Life & Legacy, and Voices & Visions. The JFNA represents over 350 Jewish communities in the United States and Canada, raising and distributing more than $2 billion annually and through planned giving and endowment programs to build flourishing Jewish communities.
For more information, go toamberawards.org or email amberawards@hgf.org.
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