2011 Arthur S. Kling Staff Recognition Award

 

Arthur S. Kling Award: Edwin Goldberg

The Arthur S. Kling Award recognizes staff and/or volunteers who have been outstanding performers for the JCL and includes an award that enables the recipient to pursue educational opportunities.

[by Phyllis Shaikun]

Edwin Goldberg, whose family has lived in Louisville for several generations, grew up at the Jewish Community Center back when it was located on Second Street and called the YMHA. It was simply the thing you did since the Hebrew School, Boy Scout troop and AZA chapters met in the building. His close association with the Center did not end after high school either, and to recognize his time and effort spent on its behalf over the years, the Jewish Community of Louisville has selected Goldberg as this year’s recipient of the Arthur Kling Leadership Award.

A graduate of the University of Louisville’s Speed Scientific School, Goldberg stayed in town and joined his father in running a business that is now a wholesale distributor of paper, janitorial and concession products with clients in health care, arenas and a number of other commercial sectors.
In his spare time, he continued with scouting at the Center, a tenure that lasted from age 11 to 42 – from tenderfoot to scout master. He was an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, a prestigious honor given by the scout council to recognize outstanding longtime service to youth.”

Goldberg was an adviser to his son Craig’s Pi Tau Pi BBYO chapter and served on the HPER Committee at the JCC. In 1984, he became president of the Center Board and was heavily involved in the major renovations done in 1985 and in 1997 in the aftermath of a catastrophic flood. He also chaired the House Committee and still remains involved as a consultant.

Concerned about the lack of a kosher restaurant in Louisville, last year, Goldberg stepped forward and chaired the committee that brought Java Brewing (now Vint) to the JCC, and worked closely with Max Behr and Jake Wishnia to raise the money to underwrite the project.

Invited to join the board of the national JCCA (JCC Association) six years ago, Goldberg served four years as a member and two years as treasurer and in 2010, was re-nominated for a four-year term to conclude in 2014. He chaired an internal study on JCC governance, sits on the Financial Resource Development Committee and is involved in planning the 2012 Biennial in New Orleans.

“I am excited that the JCC is thriving,” says Goldberg. “Membership is up, many programs, including summer camp, have been very successful.” However, he stressed, people need to encourage their children to volunteer, to give of their time and resources to perpetuate the Jewish community in Louisville. Otherwise . . .

Leave a Reply