Western Massachusetts "Jewish Movers & Shakers For 2010” List Announced By The Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger Newspaper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 24, 2011 -- (Longmeadow, MA) -- Officials at the Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger newspaper announced the list of the region’s "Jewish Movers & Shakers for 2010". Selected by the newspaper's editors, this year's group of seven accomplished business professionals and community leaders are being recognized for their leadership and impact they made in the Jewish community in western Massachusetts during this past year.

“"It is always difficult to choose a few stars from so many. The western Massachusetts Jewish community always offers a large group of dedicated candidates that we consider every year. I just regret we cannot recognize everybody,” said N. Richard Greenfield, publisher, Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger. “Without a doubt, this year's Movers & Shakers list embodies our goal to recognize those individuals who have made significant contributions through their hard work and tireless dedication to our community.”

In alphabetical order, the seven people named as Western Massachusetts’ Jewish Movers & Shakers for 2010 are:

Robert Engell, Longmeadow - Working in healthcare management, Engell been using his experience to help rebuild the healthcare system in Afghanistan. A member of the Air National Guard for the past 21 years, he served his first tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2009 working with United States and Afghan militaries and healthcare professionals. While there, he not only worked to improve the healthcare system, but also was a leader of the Jewish community, leading services and helping the last remaining Jew in Afghanistan.

Susan Jaye-Kaplan, Longmeadow - Co-founder of Links to Libraries, Jaye-Kaplan is now passing on her love of books to children in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Links to Libraries is a non-profit organization founded in May 2008 to collect and distribute new and gently used books to elementary school libraries and non-profit organizations and to enhance the language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds. The organization donated more than 12,000 books to more than 100 sites and in 2010 Links to Libraries started three Read Aloud programs for young children.

Jeremy Pava, West Hartford, CT - Born and raised in Springfield and now living in West Hartford, CT, Pava is president and longtime supporter of the Hebrew High School of New England. Supported by the Jewish Federations of Western Massachusetts, Hartford and New Haven, the school is open to students from across the Jewish denominational spectrum. Pava also served on the board of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for 20 years.

Rabbi Saul Perlmutter, Westhampton - An avid biker who often rides his bike to work, Perlmutter was looking to raise funds for alternative spring break trips for students at University of Massachusetts Amherst Hillel. Now four years later, the Ride to Provide is an annual event that brings cyclists together to raise funds and to enjoy a scenic bike ride through Amherst. In addition to Ride to Provide, as executive director of the Hillel House for more than 35 years, Perlmutter has helped UMass Hillel grow from an office in the Student Union to a three-story building and a true home to many Jewish students at the school. Along with his responsibilities at Hillel, Perlmutter is also rabbi at Congregation Sons of Zion in Holyoke.

Shamu Sadeh, Falls Village, CT – As director of ADAMAH, the farming fellowship for young Jews at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Sadeh was recently named one of “50 Top Jews” by an international publication. A leader in the Jewish food movement, Sadeh is an environmental studies instructor, Jewish educator, writer, organic farmer and wilderness guide. He has directed the ADAMAH Fellowship since 2004.

Barbara Sanofsky, Longmeadow - Passionate about Judaic needlework, Sanofsky in the early 1980s joined the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework, an international organization of Jewish needle artists that create ceremonial objects for their synagogues, homes and communities. She founded the Pioneer Valley chapter of the group in 1999 and has been named president of the national organization which has chapters throughout North America.

Ruth Webber, Longmeadow - In November 2010, Ruth Webber received the 2010 Kipnis Wilson/Friedland Award, the biennial lifetime achievement award given out by the Jewish Federations of North America and was honored at the International Lion of Judah Conference. Webber has had a distinguished volunteer career over the past 60 years. In 1972, Ruth was one of the first women invited to join the Board of Sinai Temple and was the first woman to serve on the Board of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts. She served on the boards of the Federation’s Executive Committee, Springfield Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, Springfield Symphony and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.

The Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger and Connecticut Jewish Ledger newspapers are dedicated to furthering Jewish life in the region and serving the community. As a weekly source for the latest news about current events, people and issues in the Jewish communities, the Jewish Ledger has been recognized by the New England Press Association, American Jewish Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. To read the full news story, which includes background information and more details, about the Jewish Ledger's Movers & Shakers List, visit www.wmassjewishledger.com.

More information can be found online at http://www.wmassjewishledger.com

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