Jewish Federation honors 100 community volunteers

NEWBURGH - More than 100 community members gathered at the 43rd Annual meeting of the Jewish Federation at Temple Sinai in Middletown. A new slate of officers and trustees was installed, with Harvey Kallus of Goshen coming in as President and Rissa Cutler of Newburgh as 1st Vice President.
The honorees were selected by Orange County synagogues and Jewish organizations, were recognized for their efforts
“We’re blessed to have so many people who are willing to give of themselves within our many Orange County communities," said Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation. "We thank each and every one of them for their outstanding contributions towards making a real difference in the lives of those in need.”
Outgoing President Carla Wise spoke of the past year’s achievements including the Zachor Initiative Fund which provided security upgrades for five synagogues with $5,000 each for new or improved locks, cameras and security personnel.
The Federation is continuing to partner with the Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler with a pamphlet entitled “Guide to Preventing Hate Speech”. It is working closely with the Rockland Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance and Education, who presented programs in 16 different schools/institutions/organizations and 20 different programs reaching 3,125 students, faculty and community members. It has allocated additional funds to assist synagogues in offering Hebrew School scholarships to those families without sufficient means to afford the tuition.
In addition, Federation funded billboards stating "HATE IS NOT WELCOME HERE." It hosted a wonderful Levine Speaker Series event, featuring Chancellor Arnie Eisen of the Jewish Theological Seminary. It together as a community after the atrocities in Pittsburgh. It sponsored a very successful Jewish Film Festival.