Western Massachusetts "Jewish Movers & Shakers For 2011" List Announced By The Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger

Nine Community Leaders Recognized For Their Leadership & Impact They Made In 2011

(Longmeadow, MA) -- Officials at the Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger announced the list of the region's top "Jewish Movers & Shakers for 2011". Selected by the media outlet's editors, this year's group of nine accomplished community and business leaders are recognized for their leadership and impact they made in the Jewish community in western Massachusetts in 2011.

"I am proud to announce this year's Western Massachusetts Movers & Shakers list which recognizes truly outstanding individuals that have gone well beyond in effort and dedication to make our community a great place to live and raise our families," said N. Richard Greenfield, publisher, Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger

In alphabetical order, the nine people named as Western Massachusetts' Jewish Movers & Shakers for 2011 are:

Rabbi Max Davis, Longmeadow
When the three Orthodox synagogues in the Springfield area merged in 2009, members of each worked hard to come together as united members of the new Congregation B'nai Torah, in their new home, the former B'nai Jacob Synagogue. One of the most important factors in the success of the congregation was the addition of a spiritual leader who could work with the members of all three former congregations to form a unifying bond. That leader has been Rabbi Max Davis. During his year at B'nai Torah, the only full-service Modern Orthodox congregation in Western Massachusetts -- the energetic and youthful rabbi has instituted adult education courses and social action initiatives and has nurtured the congregation as it continues to bond.

Stu Greene, South Windsor, CT
The 2011 Springfield Maccabi Games held in August 2011 in western Massachusetts went off without a hitch. That is thanks in large part to the scores of volunteers and community leaders who came through with time and money to make the athletic games such a success. But it also due to the hard work of Stuart Greene who served as games director this year and in 2002 as well. As a member of the Maccabi Continental Board, he travels to other communities to help them plan their own Maccabi games. This year he presided over 18 subcommittees and a steering committee with more than 40 representatives and handled all of the logistics and coordination of the games, which brought nearly 1,000 teen athletes to Springfield for several days of competition and bonding.

Harold Grinspoon & Diane Troderman, Longmeadow
Harold Grinspoon's innovative programs like PJ Library and B'nai Tzedek Youth Foundation continue to make a difference in the Jewish community. In March 2011, Grinspoon was the recipient of the Impact Awards of the 60th Annual National Jewish Book Awards of the Jewish Book Council, the longest-running North American awards program of its kind in the field of Jewish literature.
Grinspoon was honored for his commitment to Jewish literacy and growth through PJ Library, which he created to introduce children to Jewish literature and support them and their families on their Jewish journey. The PJ Library program sends nearly 70,000 Jewish children's books free to families with young children each month in more than 100 communities in North America. In June 2011, Diane Troderman was honored by the Jewish Education Service of North America at the organization's anniversary gala for her "far-reaching influence in the Jewish philanthropic and educational world. Troderman is chair of the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, a board member of Partnership for Effective Learning and Innovative Education and board member of the Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She sits on the boards of American Jewish World Service, Hazon, and was a founding chairman of the Hadassah Brandeis Institute.

Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz, Longmeadow
After arriving at Temple Beth El in Springfield in 2009 -- becoming the first female rabbi of a Springfield synagogue -- Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz got to work reinstituting the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School which had not operated since 2004. The adult education program completed its first two-year cycle and began a new first year class with a slew of new students. Not only is Rabbi Katz the director of the entire program, but she is one of the dedicated teachers bringing Judaism to life in class. Now Rabbi Katz has been chosen to participate in Rabbis Without Borders, a National Fellowship program of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

Dr. Martin Lesser, Longmeadow
More than three years ago, Dr. Martin Lesser was tending to his patients as a family practitioner in Holyoke when he learned of the need for medical doctors in Iraq. He decided to make the sacrifice and go to Iraq and serve as a medical doctor. The application process took a full year, but he eventually enlisted, becoming a major in the Massachusetts National Guard. Before reporting for active duty, he contacted other doctors in the Holyoke area to cover his patients while he was gone. He then began his service at Fort Benning in Georgia, moving to San Antonio for pre-deployment training at the Army Medical Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston. In October of 2010, he served in Iraq for four months and provided medical care for American soldiers at the Troop Medical Clinic at Forward Operating Base Adder in Talil, Iraq.

Alissa and Steven Korn, Longmeadow
Five years ago, Alissa and Steven Korn spearheaded the effort to develop a high-quality special needs program at the Springfield Jewish Community Center. Through grants from the Sadye Silver Endowment Fund and Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the program was founded in 2007. Since then, it has impacted more than 500 students, offering social, recreational, and enrichment programs to both children and young adults with special needs. The Korns were sponsors of this summer's Maccabi Games in Springfield and have both been highly involved with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and Jewish Family Services.

Vivian Newman, Springfield
As a member of the PJ Library's book selection committee, Vivian Newman and her colleagues have always been on the lookout for books that will fit PJ Library's mission -- providing high quality Jewish children's books for families across North America. So Newman decided to write one herself. Her very first foray into children's books, "Ella's Trip to Israel" was published by KAR-BEN Publishing. It was published and mailed out to PJ Library families in April 2011. Aimed at three-year-olds, the book tells the story of a young girl who travels to Israel with her parents and stuffed bear "Koofi." With an abundance of experience as an early childhood educator, Newman's foray into writing was a natural progression.
A native of Springfield, she got her Masters degree in early childhood education from the Bank Street College of Education and trained at its family center. She worked at child care centers and ran "Mommy & Me" groups and for several years she served as the Judaic educator at the Springfield JCC while also consulting with the PJ Library. She has finished her second children's book, "Tikkun Olam Ted".

The Western Massachusetts Jewish Ledger and Connecticut Jewish Ledger newspapers are dedicated to furthering Jewish life in the region and serving the community. As a weekly source for the latest news about current events, people and issues in the Jewish communities, the Jewish Ledger has been recognized by the New England Press Association, American Jewish Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. To read the full news story, which includes background information and more details, about the Jewish Ledger's Movers & Shakers List, visit www.wmassjewishledger.com.

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