Press Releases

Celebrating 30 years of engaging, inspiring and educating Jews, NJOP will hold its Annual Dinner at Espace in New York City, on Tuesday, February 6. The evening’s theme is represented by the Hebrew letter Lamed, which equals 30 in Hebrew numerics and reflects the 30 years that NJOP has spent helping to ignite (Lehadlik) the hearts (Lev) of those searching for more meaning in their Jewish heritage. NJOP’s goal is to inspire its Jewish brothers and sisters to rise to new heights in their Jewish lives, like the Lamed that rises above all the other letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Highlights of the dinner will include a retrospective of 30 years of innovative and successful NJOP programming and several special honors presented to community leaders for their outstanding contributions to the organization and their unwavering commitment to enhancing Jewish life. Master of Ceremonies will be Lisa Cabrera Scharf, former newscaster for CBS, NBC, UPN and anchor on FOX News, New York.

“For 30 years, NJOP has been committed to spreading the joy of Jewish life and enriching Jewish communities, and we could not be more pleased to recognize this year’s honorees who have helped us reach this special milestone,” said Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald, NJOP Founder and Director. “Our programs would not be possible without the support of these passionate and committed individuals.”

Guests of Honor will be generous NJOP supporters Robin and Neil Goldberg. Neil is the CEO of Raymour and Flanigan, one of the largest furniture retailers in the country, with 122 stores and 6,000 employees. The Goldbergs, who reside in both Syracuse and Manhattan, where they are active members of both Jewish communities, have been involved in NJOP programs. They are also dedicated to communal service organizations, including the Lincoln Square Synagogue and the Anti-Defamation League. A dentist by training, Robin is dedicated to communal work, serving as president of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and chapter president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while also working with the Lion of Judah Division of the Syracuse Jewish Federation, the United Way, and the National Council of Jewish Women, among others.

Longtime NJOP supporters Laurie and Richard Wolff will receive the Elli and Israel Krakowski Memorial Award. Richard’s involvement with NJOP dates to 1995, when he helped organize the Shabbat dinners that would become Shabbat Across America.

NJOP is thrilled to give the Carl and Sylvia Freyer Young Leadership Award to Megan Quattlebaum, who studied extensively with Rabbi Buchwald. Raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Megan graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and Yale Law School, where she now works as a research scholar in law. Through teaching, research, scholarship, public policy work and client advocacy, Megan aims to make the criminal justice system more fair and effective. Megan has the deepest admiration for the Buchwalds and incredible gratitude for the critical role that NJOP has played in deepening the spiritual commitments and practices of her own family and so many others over its thirty year history.

Receiving the Leslie Nelkin Special Service Award is Lawrence S. Greenman, NJOP’s Assistant Director. Since joining NJOP in 2000 in his initial role as Community Development and Outreach Coordinator, Larry has had the unique opportunity to help drive Jewish community development and individual growth. His determination and personal touch have helped increase national participation in NJOP’s programs. Larry has helped launch new and creative initiatives such as the Priceless Appeal Card and Parents Are Teachers (P.A.T.) program, and worked closely with NJOP’s dedicated staff to find creative ways for NJOP participants to forge a more profound connection with their Jewish heritage.

Memorial Tributes will honor the lives of generous NJOP supporters, Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, z”l, and Fred Kann, z”l, who passed away recently.

About NJOP

NJOP*, an independent, non-denominational, non-profit organization, was established in 1987 by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald in response to the spiraling losses of Jews from Jewish life due to assimilation and lack of Jewish knowledge. Through its highly innovative and stimulating educational programming and influential social media platforms, NJOP conveys the relevance and vibrancy of Judaism to contemporary Jews by providing a greater understanding and knowledge of the basics of Judaism and Jewish life. Over the last 30 years, more than 1,621,193** North American Jews have been engaged Jewishly through NJOP’s positive, joyous Jewish programs and experiences.

NJOP’s renowned programs, such Read Hebrew America and Canada, Shabbat Across America and Canada, Passover, Sukkot and Chanukah Across America, Shabbat and High Holiday Beginners Services and Crash Courses in Basic Judaism and Jewish History, have been offered at 5,032 synagogues and Jewish organizations across North America and in 41 additional countries around the globe. NJOP’s ever-expanding efforts, and its keen ability to recognize the most current cultural trends, have allowed it to become an acclaimed leader in Jewish social media. Every day, tens of thousands of fans and followers are presented with a means to positively and joyously participate in Jewish life through @JewishTweets on Twitter, NJOP’s Jewish Treats daily email and Facebook fan page. NJOP’s Jewish Treats’ YouTube channel boasts more than 1.97 million views.

Since its founding, NJOP has become one of the largest and most successful organizations, impacting broadly on Jewish engagement throughout the world.

NJOP extends special thanks to Mr. Sam Domb for his extraordinary efforts on behalf of NJOP and the Jewish People.

*National Jewish Outreach Program is now NJOP. **As of January 2018