Debbie Kail one of five to receive 2015 Pomegranate Prize
Debbie Yunker Kail is one of five innovative and outstanding emerging Jewish educators to receive the The Covenant Foundation’s 2015 Pomegranate Prize.
Debbie, the executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University in Tempe, was joined by recipients from other educational institutions across the country: Erica Belkin Allen, Baltimore; Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, New York; Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal, West Hills, CA; and Lea Winkler, Marblehead, MA.
The Pomegranate Prize was established in 2011 and recognizes emerging leaders in Jewish education – those in the field for 10 years or fewer. Each Pomegranate Prize awardee receives $15,000 to generate new educational ventures and their own evolution as leaders in their communities and in Jewish education. In addition, over a three-year period and through foundation-sponsored events, recipients interact and engage with thought leaders and extraordinary educators from across the spectrum of Jewish life.
“This prize reflects the vision of my father, Lester Crown, who believed that encouragement early on in a person’s career can make all the difference in their success,” says James Crown, president of Henry Crown and Company.
The 2015 cohort joins an expanding network of up and coming Jewish educators – there are now 25 in the group. Together, they represent some of the most talented and creative young leaders working in the field today.
“We are aware that within the field of Jewish education writ large, there is attrition happening,” says Harlene Appelman, executive director of The Covenant Foundation. “The Pomegranate Prize is our attempt to acknowledge that challenge, and in response, (to) bolster and retain idealistic, creative and energetic professionals in the field.”
Debbie Yunker Kail is the executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University in Tempe, where she has spent the last two years reinvigorating the Jewish student life experience. She works to advance the Hillel movement, sitting on Hillel International’s Measuring Excellence Program Core Team and the Ezra Fellowship Steering Committee. Before coming to ASU, Debbie spent seven years at Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania working with the staff to develop and implement a multi-tiered student engagement strategy. Debbie holds a B.A. in psychology from Emory University and an M.A. in higher education administration from New York University. She has studied at the Conservative Yeshiva and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and has completed the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and Weinberg Accelerate, Hillel’s executive training program.
covenantfn.org | debbie@hillelasu.org | hillelasu.org
Cohon Foundation names Rabbi Abraham Cooper 2015 honoree
The Cohon Memorial Foundation has named Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, as the winner of the 2015 Cohon Award. The award will be presented March 18, at Temple Emanu-el, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson.
Each year, the Rabbi Samuel S. and A. Irma Cohon Memorial Foundation of Tucson selects honorees based on their contributions in one of four areas: unity, education/information, creative arts and rescue. Previous winners have qualified in one area. For the first time, this year the winner qualifies in all four.
The Wiesenthal Center is Rabbi Cooper’s headquarters, but his work takes him all over the world. Rabbi Cooper has established a unique record of outstanding service to Klal Yisrael, the total Jewish People, which includes his rescue efforts for Soviet Jewry in the 1970s; his nearly 30 years work with Simon Wiesenthal, z”l, himself; his creative efforts along with the Dean Rabbi Marvin Hier in establishing the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and now building a companion museum in Jerusalem; his informational and educational efforts co-producing live exhibitions and film documentaries on Anne Frank and other Holocaust subjects; his editorship of Response magazine; his editorials in leading newspapers in America, Europe and Asia; and his negotiations with heads of state and with U.N. officials. An ordained Orthodox rabbi, he fights for Jews – from the most secular to the most pious. Unity is clearly one of his goals.
cohonaward.com
Jewish Arizonans on Campus announces new Director of Outreach
Rabbi Jordan Brumer, director of Jewish Arizonans on Campus, announced that Jennifer Starrett has joined the JAC team to increase awareness of programs and work with alumni and donors in developing new opportunities for growth. Jennifer comes with a background in marketing and sales, having spent the last seven years at Jewish News in Phoenix, where Jennifer worked with community leaders to advertise and market their programs.
Jennifer joins JAC as director of outreach to increase JAC’s exposure on both Arizona State University and University of Arizona campuses, as well as increase awareness to alumni and donors about the successful and meaningful educational programing JAC offers to students. Jennifer will also work to expand j-LIVE Young Professionals’ programs.
“I am excited to start working with Rabbi Brumer and the other JAC professionals, and I look forward to further developing their niche in the community,” Jennifer comments.
JAC provides opportunities for the Jewish students to engage their timeless tradition in a modern world. Social and educational programs allow students to experience Judaism in a fun as well as meaningful way.
602-329-1786 | JACoutreach@gmail.com | myjac.org
Erin Searle joins Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix development team
Erin Searle has accepted a permanent position in development at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. She handles planning, allocations and community relations. Erin, the former director of the federation’s NowGen program, moved into the development position vacated by Lisa Kaplan in July.
Erin works with lay leaders and community agencies on the annual allocation of federation funds. She looks forward to strengthening the overall Jewish community and its engagement in the work of the federation.
“When Marty (Haberer, chief development officer) came on board, I was impressed with his depth of knowledge and experience, and I wanted to work with him to develop my skills in new areas,” says Erin. “I enjoy working with the community, our lay leaders and more directly seeing the impact of federation dollars.”
Erin received her master’s from Arizona State University in nonprofit leadership and her bachelor’s in Judaic studies from University of Arizona. She spent five years working with Hillel at Hofstra University, the University of Denver and ASU. She joined the staff of the Valley of the Sun JCC in 2011 as director of adult services and cultural arts and moved over to federation as director of its NowGen program in 2013. In addition to her development duties, Erin has been overseeing the Valley of the Sun’s youth department.
jewishphoenix.org | 480-634-4900
