Narrowing the field of worthy nominees submitted to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for the 2012 Hampton Roads Jewish Community Hero contest was no easy task, but eventually four were chosen to compete for the award.
In July, a review committee comprised of a cross-section of community members selected the candidates it felt best exemplified the concept of a Jewish hero, combining ethics, dedication, passion, tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (charity).
The four people on the ballot are: Dana Cohen, a Holocaust survivor committed to telling her story and teaching lessons of history and hope; Morris Elstein, the president of Temple Emanuel who has been a role model for his congregation, showing commitment to the synagogue even as he experienced great personal loss; Nancy Metheny, Temple Israel’s secretary who extends her kindness and care to both humans young and old, and to animals (she’s a dedicated zoo volunteer); and Miriam Seeherman, chair of the Community Relations Council who, for decades, has been a behind-the-scenes powerhouse working to improve the lives of Jews and non-Jews in Hampton Roads and throughout the world.
The public decides which candidate will be named the Jewish Community Hero through online voting at www.jewishva.org. The contest ends on Aug. 31, so there is still time to vote. However, no stuffing of the ballot box is allowed; rules state that a person may only cast one vote.
This is the second year the contest has been held at the local level. The UJFT embraces the opportunity to celebrate the diversity, strength and goodness that is so prevalent in Tidewater, and to honor the person that online voters ultimately choose as their Hampton Roads Community Hero.
All of the nominees will be recognized at the UJFT’s Annual Campaign Kick-Off Sept. 27 at the Sandler Family Campus. At the event, the 2012 Hampton Roads Community Hero will be announced, and, along with the title, he or she will also receive a $500 check that can be donated to a non-profit of their choosing.
