The Jewish Community Relations Council’s annual Interfaith Chanukah Party on Sunday, December 11, drew a large group of people of many faiths to share in a little early Chanukah joy. Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner of Temple Shalom shared the Chanukah story and Cantors Sharon Hordes of Keneseth Israel and David Lipp of Adath Jeshurun shared some favorite Chanukah songs.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the JCRC’s Annual Award to volunteer extraordinaire Joyce Bridge, president of National Council of Jewish Women, Louisville Section. Cantor Hordes made the presentation.
The heart of community relations, Cantor Hordes said, “is working toward the betterment of your community in many different ways. This is what Joyce does and why she is so deserving.”
Prior to coming to Louisville 10 years ago, Bridge rand a social service agency that helped domestic violence victims. The NCJW chapter there helped her agency a lot. So when Bridge move here, she immediately “joined NCJW to meet people and form friendships.
“She soon became very active in their mission of positively impacting the lives of women children and families throughout our community and in Israel,” Cantor Hordes continued. “Two years ago she was asked to become president of the organization and even though she is not Jewish. She’s been a leader that represents Jewish values in the most positive way, values that are universal.”
In addition to her work with NCJW, Bridge volunteers with Gilda’s Club and is a docent at the Speed Museum.
After the formal program, there were plenty of latkes and sufganiyot for everyone.
Jeff Slyn chaired this program and Matt Goldberg is the director of the JCRC.
Interfaith Paths to Peace cosponsored this program.