Jewish Changemaker Awards
A large increase in nominations for the fourth annual Jewish Changemakers Awards made for a lively audience when the Awards were announced.
An initiative of B’nai B’rith Alfred Dreyfus Unit in conjunction with JNF Australia, the awards celebrate the innovation, inspiration and achievements of young people in the Australian
Joshua Koonin and Ettie Ayalon
Jewish community.
Nominations were judged by a panel comprised of Ortal Dary, David Knoll, Ilona Lee, Dalia Ayalon Sinclair and Peter Wertheim.
Individuals were nominated under seven categories. The winners were:
- Youth: Steven Ligoff – JNF Award for Contribution to the Jewish Community
- Youth: Ciaran Frazer – Contribution to Israel
- Youth: Samuel Mart and Lucy Steigrad – Contribution to Australian Society
- Young Adults: Andrew Oboler – Contribution to Australian Society
- Young Adults: Joshua Koonan – Contribution to Israel
- Young Adults: Boris Sherman and Gina Simon – Contribution to Jewish Community
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Jeremy Spinak and Ernie Friedlander
Young Adults: Jeremy Spinak – B’nai B’rith Award for Leadership
A cheque for $1000 was accepted by Daniel Munitz on behalf of CSG (Community Security Group) for the great work it does in protecting the
Lucy Steigrad and Dr Andre Oboler
community.
Ernie Friedlander, President of the B’nai B’rith Alfred Dreyfus Anti-Defamation Unit said:
“We started these Awards because of the many young people who do so much for others and wanted to give them recognition.
“They are a credit to the community and gave the judges an enormous task in choosing the winners. There was a 70% increase in nominations this year.”
Peter Smaller, National President JNF, paid tribute to the generosity of all its volunteers. He said that the ingenuity, creativity and dedication of the nominees capture the best in our community and JNF was proud to be associated with the Awards.
Daniel Munitz and Ernie Friedlander
Dignitaries included Jeremy Spinak, President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies; Ted Seng, Mayor of Randwick; Peter Smaller, National President , JNF; Alex Ryvchin, Public Affairs Director, ECAJ; Rabbi Yossie Friedman, Cremorne Synagogue; Len Mahemoff, JNF NSW, Leon Goltsman, Waverley Councillor.
Doron Chester, himself a nominee, was a capable and amusing MC. JNF has planted a tree in Israel on behalf of each nominee in honour of their achievements.
Claran Frazer and Liron SMith
