Sunday, June 4, Ohef Sholom Temple
10:30 am: Buffet Breakfast, 11 am: Ceremony, $10
The Henry B. Kaufmann Award is presented by Ohef Sholom Temple’s Men’s Club to a congregant who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the Temple and the community in a volunteer capacity. The award’s namesake, Henry B. Kaufmann, was an accountant by trade and extremely active in synagogue and community life. Matthew Weinstein is this year’s recipient, on the 40th anniversary of the first presentation.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Weinstein attended the University of Virginia. Upon graduation he started on a path that ultimately led to a successful career in hospital administration and corporate management. Thirty-five years ago, Weinstein, and his wife Giselle, settled in Virginia Beach. The couple has three adult children and six grandchildren.
A prolific volunteer, the list of organizations Weinstein has served could fill a book. A sampling of his Ohef Sholom activities include past member and past vice president of the board of directors, past co-chair of the adult education committee, past Men’s Club president (three times!), and past director of the Ohef Sholom Temple Foundation. Other committees he has served on include long range planning, personnel, finance and development, and a number of ad hocs. Weinstein helped organize several Mussar (Jewish spirituality) groups and continues to act as a Mussar facilitator.
On the community side, one of Weinstein’s proudest achievements, and an opportunity to put his knowledge of hospital administration to work, is his involvement with Beth Sholom Village as a past secretary and president. He is also the founder/board chairman/project coordinator of Faith Works Coalition, an all-volunteer organization comprised of religious outreach groups, businesses, and individuals. Their mission statement is “To eliminate poor living conditions by providing health and safety repairs for the elderly, disabled, and low-income homeowners in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.” Following his passion for music – he plays saxophone and piano– Weinstein is secretary, vice president, and a board member of Tidewater Winds. In fact, one of his original compositions was performed by The Winds at various venues in years past.
The Weinsteins are dedicated to assisting legal asylum seekers who have recently settled in the area by providing them food, shelter, vocational support, language training, and health care. For two years they sheltered a young mother and her two children who had been in an abusive situation until she was able to become independent financially, vocationally, and emotionally.
When he is not volunteering, or fixing something around the house, Weinstein can be found cooking for large family gatherings, playing piano or sax, working out, or on a tennis court or golf course where he claims to be a “club tennis player and very bad golfer.” This successful, compassionate, Renaissance man, with the quick wit and self-deprecating sense of humor, is a true mensch in every sense of the word.
RSVP to reservations@ohefsholom.org.