Thursday, March 27, 6:30 – 8 pm • The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
Each year, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities awards its prestigious Humanitarian award to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds in South Hampton Roads.
Steven E. Kocen is one of this year’s honorees for VCIC’s 61st annual Tidewater Humanitarian Awards.
A native of Richmond, Va., Kocen met his wife, Sally, on a blind date for a dance that took place in Ohef Sholom Temple’s Kaufman Hall on Dec. 3, 1966; he moved to Tidewater in the 1970s. From 1981 until 1996, the Kocens lived in Lexington, Ky. In 1996, they returned to Tidewater with their daughters, Michelle and Stephanie. In Tidewater, Kocen has worked at Southern Bank for the past 19 years.
Volunteering is a major part of Kocen’s very full and active life, and it’s something he’s been doing for literally, decades. While in Lexington, for, example, Kocen served as president of his temple.
Kocen is receiving the VCIC award for his extensive work with nonprofits. In addition to professional affiliations with Downtown Norfolk Council and banking organizations, Kocen is active with United Way. “I have worked in every imaginable volunteer position for the past 27 years (at United Way),” he laughs, including serving as chair and vice chair of the community investment committee. At The Up Center in Norfolk, Kocen serves on the board of directors and chairs its governance committee. For the past four years, Kocen’s roles at Tidewater Jewish Foundation have included serving as a board member and as committee member of its audit and finance committee.
“But truly my passion is OST,” says Kocen, referring to Ohef Sholom Temple, where he is an honorary board member and active volunteer, now chairing the finance and development committee. “My mother and maternal grandmother were involved in the Richmond Jewish community. I grew up watching their example.”
At the Westin, Kocen will be surrounded by his family, including Sally, their two daughters, and four of their five grandchildren. Past VCIC honorees, and Kocen’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Ron Spindel, will also be at his table.
Under the leadership of Tony Brothers, those being honored along with Kocen include J. Thaler McCormick, Vivian M. Oden, Cynthia C. Romero, and Robert Shoup.