Abrams honored at JCPA Gala
Marie Abrams
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) honored Marie Abrams, past chair of the board, at its 75th Anniversary Gala, on Feb. 10 in Washington D.C.
Abrams served as chair from 2004 to 2006. She broadened JCPA’s partnerships and was key in driving the Jewish community towards consensus on crucial issues.
Abrams has also served as a trustee of United Jewish Communities and the University of Louisville, and she co-chaired the Louisville Israel Community Relations Initiative.
She was board member of the Jewish Hospital, the Louisville Jewish Community Federation, the Southern Regional Council, the Jewish Social Service Agency, the Jewish Community Center, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Governor’s Task Force on Juvenile Delinquency.
JCPA is the national hub of the 125 Jewish community relations councils in the US and 17 national Jewish agencies. Since their founding they have led Jewish engagement on major issues including the civil rights and voting rights acts; eliminating racial quotas in immigration; movement to free Soviet Jewry, ending Darfur genocide; countering BDS; and criminal justice reform.
Bats hire Sobel
Chip Sobel
The Louisville Bats, the local professional baseball club and Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, have appointed Chip Sobel to the position of manager, corporate partnerships.
“After a multi-decade career as a professional comedy industry executive I have turned my attention to another passion of mine, baseball,” Sobel said in a prepared statement.
Sobel’s responsibilities include marketing sponsorship and advertising opportunities for businesses and organizations at Louisville Slugger Field.
In addition to 70 home games, Bats partners will also be exposed to at least 17 LouCity soccer matches during 2019.
Contact Sobel at csobel@batsbaseball.com.
Girl Scout troop represents Israel
Members of Girl Scout Troop 2236
Dunn Elementary Girl Scout Troop 2236 represented Israel at Thinking Day on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Slugger Field.
Thinking Day is an event during which troops from around Kentuckiana each represent a country and teach other Girl Scouts about the food and culture from their chosen land. About 450 girls participated.
The 15-member troop, all fifth graders, chose Israel because they noticed from their involvement that no one had represented the country in a while; they wanted to show what the Jewish state has to offer.
The girls created “swaps” replicating the Dead Sea and offered hand salt scrubs to hundreds of scouts throughout the day. They also educated visitors about the military requirements, technological and agricultural advancements and the Western Wall.
Slosberg steps down as Masorti chair
Rabbi Robert Slosberg has concluded his four-year term as chairman of the National Masorti Foundation, the American arm of the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Israel.
“Helping to build an Israel where traditional Judaism thrives in an inclusive, egalitarian and welcoming environment has been central to my life,” Slosberg said at a Feb. 10 dinner in New York in his honor. “I’m proud of the work of the Masorti Movement and Foundation, and I’m honored to continue to serve on the board as a director.”
Slosberg, who has served as chairman of the foundation since 2015, was presented with a silver tzedakah box in honor of his work.
“We’re fortunate to have the leadership of an exceptional, active and highly committed board of directors,” Masorti Foundation Executive Director Gideon Aronoff said at the function. With [incoming Chair] Heidi [Schneider] now at the helm and with Bob’s ongoing participation and guidance, Masorti is on a path to achieve all of its goals.”
There are 80 Masorti kehillot (communities) in Israel today.
Slosberg, who has served as rabbi of Adath Jeshurun for 38 years, is a fervent supporter of the Israel, having led more than 30 missions there, including several with the Masorti Foundation. He also has served on several national organizations benefiting the Jewish state.
He has led his congregation in many tikkun olam projects, including the reunion of two refugee families from Sudan. He raised funds to bring the families to Louisville and continued offering support after they arrived. Some of the children attended the AJ Preschool.
Slosberg also supports Gilda’s Club and efforts to provide meals, blankets, socks and hats to the homeless. He has collaborated with the African-American, Muslim and LGBTQ communities and local churches to fight discrimination.
The goals of the Masorti Movement in Israel are the furtherance of “egalitarian, democratic and welcoming Judaism consistent with Jewish tradition and values,” according to the foundation.
“Rabbi Slosberg is a hard act to follow,” incoming Chair Schneider said, “but I’m inspired by his example and will strive to continue the work of building an Israel that can be a home for all Jews.”