2011 Ellen Faye Garmon Award

Ellen Faye Garmon Award: Klaire Spielbeg

The Garmon Award was established by the Gamma Kappa Social Club in order to further the work of high schoolers who, in the spirit of Ellen, are involved in Jewish life through BBYO and with the Jewish Community Center, and in the general community. It is supported through the sale of all-occasion cards.

by Phyllis Shaikun

The B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) in Louisville has long been a training ground for the Jewish leaders of tomorrow; and each year, BBYO recognizes its best leaders for their contributions with special awards. This year, the Ellen Faye Garmon Award goes to Klaire Spielberg and the Stacy Marks Nisenbaum Award goes to Chelsea Rosenberg.

Klaire Spielberg

Klaire Spielberg, a straight-A student and rising junior at Collegiate of Louisville, has just finished her first year as president (n’siah) of Jay Levine BBG. Born in Louisville and a graduate of Eliahu Academy, Spielberg will be receiving the Ellen Faye Garmon Award at the Jewish Community of Louisville’s Annual Meeting in August. The award, named in Garmon’s memory, is awarded to a well-rounded teen who demonstrates the ability to help his/her chapter and community.

“I’ve been doing lots more volunteer work lately,” says Spielberg. “I participated in the Hunger Walk and, along with my friends in BBG, I helped plant the vegetable garden at the Jewish Community Center.”

The award will provide the opportunity for Spielberg to attend the BBYO’s International Kallah in Pennsylvania for 20 days next summer. Kallah offers a deep Judaic experience in which participants are given the opportunity to explore their own Jewish identity and engage with others in programs on spirituality, culture and religion.

With a focus on international studies, Spielberg’s classes in both Spanish and French are favorites. In fact, this summer she is spending a month taking part in an education experience at University of Seville in Spain with 30 other students from around the world that includes visiting various parts of the country as well. At Collegiate, she is a member of the rowing team and will be inducted into the National Honor Society next year.

Spielberg, the daughter of Jamey and Jeffrey Spielberg and sister of David, looks forward to doing more for Louisville in the future and to serving on more BBYO-related boards. She is the third person in her family to receive the award and is happy and proud to accept it.

The Garmon Award is given annually in memory of Ellen Faye Garmon, the daughter of Estelle and Selwyn Garmon, who died in July 1968 in a tragic accident. The fund was established by the Gamma Kappa Social Club in order to further the work of high schoolers who, in the spirit of Ellen, are involved in Jewish life through BBYO, the Jewish Community Center and in the general community. The Garmon Award is supported through the sale of all-occasion cards.

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