Providence Hebrew Day School hosts annual awards dinner

Lawrence M. Katz and Marilyn Spitalny Katz

The annual dinner for the Providence Hebrew Day School will be held on Sunday, June 7.

This year, the school community pays special tribute to the memory of our esteemed and beloved teacher, Tichyeh Schochet. Her devotion to her students knew no bounds.  We honor the legacy of a great woman, who taught us all by example.

Lawrence M. Katz and Marilyn Spitalny Katz will receive the 2015 Amudim Award, in appreciation of their friendship and in recognition of their support for the Providence Hebrew Day School and the New England Academy of Torah.

Larry is the director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.  As part of his work at the Alliance, Larry has been most involved with the financial security of the Providence Hebrew Day School.  He administers a foundation that has provided about $3 million for scholarships at PHDS. These funds come from businesses that receive state tax credits for their donations.  Larry has managed the Gift of Israel and the scholarship programs at the Alliance, which help make study in Israel affordable for PHDS graduates. He is also responsible for the BunkConnect program, which provides discounts at Jewish summer camps.

Marilyn, a special education teacher, has helped students with disabilities in their Hebrew and b’nei mitzvah studies.  She volunteers as a part-time teacher and helps conduct a Shabbat service for people with disabilities.  Marilyn was a den leader for the Cub Scout pack that met at Congregation Beth Sholom and at the Providence Hebrew Day School. 

Larry and Marilyn are true pillars of the Providence Jewish community, making them very worthy recipients of the Amudim Award.

The Young Leadership Award for 2015 will be presented to Nadav and Katie Minkin.

As an entrepreneur, Nadav’s leadership skills have served him well.  He and his business partner turned a hobby into a successful indoor rock climbing company.  They currently have four Rock Spot Climbing locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.   Katie has worked as a social worker and in clinical research.

As members of the Jewish community in Providence, Nadav and Katie Minkin emerge as leaders despite their quiet and unassuming ways.  They earn respect by consistently demonstrating their willingness to do whatever needs doing.  They were founding members of Congregation Sha’arei Tefilla, and Nadav was the congregation’s first president.  The Minkins are staunch supporters of the Providence Community Kollel, Project Shoresh, the New England Rabbinical College and the Providence Hebrew Day School.   For several years, Nadav and Katie opened their home and filled the role of NEAT high school boarding parents.  Nadav currently serves on the school’s executive committee and Katie has been a school volunteer for many years.

Without a doubt, Nadav and Katie Minkin fit the bill for the Young Leadership Award.

Twelve special young women will receive this year’s Alumnae Award.  They are the New England Academy of Torah Class of 2008.  Most of them began their post high school careers with a year of advanced study in Israel.  They earned degrees from the University of Baltimore, Bellevue University, Georgetown University, Rutgers University, Thomas Edison State College, Touro College and Yeshiva University. Their fields of study were  as varied as nursing, biology, behavioral science, neuropsychology, criminology, political science, economics, business administration, accounting and digital multimedia design.  Among this colorful group, you will find a CPA, an EMT, an RN, a real estate agent, an ophthalmic technician, a caseworker for developmentally disabled adults, a bookkeeper, a full-time mom, a print designer at the Jewish National Fund, owner of a day care center, and an employee of the Israeli embassy.  These contributions and more make the school proud to count these young women among graduates.

The awards program promises to be an enjoyable and inspiring event.  The dinner is open to the public and everyone is welcome.  To attend or to place an advertisement in the journal, please call the school at 401-331-5327.

RUCHAMA SZENDRO lives in Providence and is a member of the PHDS Amudim committee.