JEF honors Friedmans, Lindsay Baach Friedman and Leon Rittenberg III
By ALAN SMASON
The Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana (JEF) held its annual fundraiser at the Jerome S. Glazer Audubon Tea Room on Sunday evening, March 10, honoring several members of the local community in the process and acknowledging another successful year of giving and planning.
Tzedakah Award recipients Richard and Linda Friedman. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The JEF’s Tzedakah Award was presented to Richard and Linda Friedman, a couple who have made philanthropy and volunteerism cornerstones of their lives. In a recorded video shown prior to their receiving the award, Linda mused: “I would like to see people get along with each other, cooperate, less hate and more love.” Her husband agreed saying “Linda just said it perfectly. We’re trying to make it a better world.”
Earlier in the evening, Robert “Bobby” Garon, the JEF’s executive director noted the couple’s commitment to the Jewish community by asking “Is there any more deserving couple in this community to receive the prestigious Tzedakah Award? Both are so caring and so generous to so many deserving causes.”
Lawrence “Larry” Lehmann, a past JEF president, presented the actual award to the couple. “Linda and Richard Friedman’s acts of generosity over the years exemplify the essence of tzedakah by way of their low-key, heartfelt and often anonymous charitable gifts,” he said. “They have shared their wealth in support of numerous causes and have done so in several creative ways.”
Lehmann added they have supported most every Jewish organization in the Greater New Orleans area as well as others in other cities and in Israel. “Linda and Richard make a significant impact on the quality of life for so many others,” he stated.
Leon Rittenberg III accepts the Young Family Award for Professionals from Alan Franco, the JEF president. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Estate planning attorney Leon Rittenberg III was presented with the Young Family Award for Professional Excellence. “Following in the footsteps of his late father, Leon, Jr., who we all know was a past JEF president, Leon has taken on a myriad of leadership roles in our community, both Jewish and secular,” Garon noted.
Garon personally thanked Rittenberg for the many long hours he dedicated with him and other community members in realizing the final construction of the Oscar Tolmas Louisiana Community Mikvah. “It would not have happened without Leon’s amazing support and advice behind the scenes,” he said.
In his “state of the union” address earlier in the evening, Garon acknowledged that the total unaudited assets of the JEF had once again exceeded what he termed “the milestone figure of $100 million.” That figure did not include the more than $13 million dollars in allotments paid out last year, he said.
JEF president Alan Franco presents Lindsay Baach Friedman her award. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Anti-Defamation League South Central Region executive director Lindsay Baach Friedman was cited with the Helen A. Mervis Award Jewish Community Professional Award. “Even in the midst of unprecedented hate, I get to do this work. I get to be a part of this community. I get to repair the fractures in our society,” Friedman said in accepting her award.
“Admittedly, it gets a little exhausting, but it’s worth it in moments like these, when new and old faces come together in celebration of what we know we’re capable of building together,” she added.
Videos of each of the night’s recipients were played over large screens for the benefit of introducing the award recipients to those in attendance.
Attendees were treated to a meal catered by Dickie Brennan and Company.
Photos from the event can be viewed here:
