As a nonprofit organization, we are able to fulfill our mission on a larger scale thanks to our volunteers. As a Jewish organization, our volunteers were a crucial source of support for our community during the most difficult year many of us have ever experienced. In the wake of October 7th and the surge of antisemitism that followed, we received a tidal wave of requests from people who wanted to get involved with the Jewish Federation. They felt a need to connect with other Jews, and to make a difference in our community.

We want to thank each and every one of you for giving your time to make our community stronger and more welcoming. We want to thank every person who delivered Mitzvah Meals. Every person who provided tech support to an older adult. Every pod leader who gathered families together for fun, snacks, and a good PJ Library book. Every person who saw the calls for a single adults group and made it a reality. Every event chair who helped us put on Shabbat Across Greater Raleigh, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the Illumination Gala, and every major celebration we held this year. Every person who wrote an email to the Raleigh City Council and every person who lobbied their North Carolina state representatives and senators to get the Shalom Act passed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. We could not have made it through this year without you.

We are delighted to present our volunteer awards to three honorees who stepped up this year. They embodied our goal to provide connection, care, and community to Greater Raleigh. We each have something special to offer that no one else can. I hope that their work inspires all of us to do our best, because we never know where that will lead.

Connection Award: Deborah Rosenzweig

Deborah Rosenzweig is a Speech Language Pathologist who works in an Autism clinic. You can find Deb with her husband, Adam, and her two children, Hal and Matilda, at community events throughout the year and by the Falk Pool at the JCC in the summer.

Deb serves on the Federation Board of Trustees. She is also the ultimate J-Rays swim team parent. After a few years of showing her team spirit poolside, she became the volunteer coordinator for the swim team parents. For the last two seasons, she has served as the J-Rays representative to the Tarheel Swim Association. This is the league that governs our swim team.

This administrative role took on a new importance when the league proposed new rule changes that would harm marginalized members of our swim team family. Deb went into action. She mobilized our response, spoke out at league meetings, and devoted a lot of time to protecting not just J-Rays swimmers, but all swimmers in the area. She is passionate about supporting children and families and advocating for those who do not have a voice to do so on their own.

When asked why she volunteers, Deb said, “I think about wanting to be a role model for my children. I want them to grow up in a world where helping people is the norm, where it is easy to stand up for those in need and where it always feels good and safe to make the right decision. I volunteer with the Federation so they see me living that. I am proud to stand up for those who need someone in their corner.”

Care Award: Jeremy Hersh

Did you know that every month, we deliver an average of 164 mitzvah meals and 40 food pantry bags? Jeremy Hersh knows this better than anybody because he helps with delivering all of them!

Jeremy is the Lead Mitzvah Meal and Food Pantry Distributor. Jeremy helps Ilene Mlot, our Jewish Federation’s Food Assistance Administrator, pack up cars with food pantry bags and flowers. After Ilene takes these bags to Kaplan Catering, Jeremy organizes the food pantry bags, flowers and Mitzvah Meals for the delivery drivers. He makes sure that each bag goes to the correct driver, so that they can provide nourishment to families and older adults all around Wake County who face food insecurity.

Jeremy brings a calm and steady energy when navigating the unexpected challenges that come with the distributing the food pantry and Mitzvah Meals. His ability to work with a wide range of personalities and meet the diverse needs of our volunteers is truly commendable. Much like a postman, neither snow nor rain nor heat —Jeremy is always there, ready to lend a hand and ensure meals are delivered with care.

When asked why he volunteers, Jeremy said, “Trust. Consistent volunteering is one of my ways of engaging in trust in unfamiliar places. I volunteer so that I can earn the trust of my community. But also so that I can find others whom I can trust; and there are many who have earned my trust through their consistent actions.”

Community Award: Naama Shaked

When we woke up to the news of horrific Hamas attacks on October 7th, we all experienced waves of shock, anger, sadness, and fear. No one felt this more deeply than the Israeli members of our community.

Naama was born in Israel and moved to the United States 11 years ago. She lives in Greater Raleigh with her husband, Gal, and three daughters: Michal, Shahar, and Yael. In the months that followed October 7th, Naama helped our Jewish Federation better serve Israeli individuals and families during this difficult time. She became the local representative of Bring Them Home Now, a forum for raising awareness of the hostages being held in Gaza and providing support to hostage families. She helped to bring the Empty Shabbat Table art installation to Moore Square in Downton Raleigh, each empty seat and place setting representing a hostage. She also helped to arrange visits from the families of hostages, bringing them to speak at Temple Beth Or, the North Carolina State Legislature, and Governor Roy Cooper.

We knew that October 7th would remain an important day in Jewish History and began planning for the 1-year anniversary early. Naama served on our committee. Her insights into the Israeli community helped us plan an event that would be sensitive to the ongoing emotional needs of Israelis. It was an anniversary we never wanted to observe, but Naama’s contributions made the event powerful and cathartic.

When asked why she volunteers, Naama said, “After the events of October 7th, I felt a deep frustration being so far from my country and my family, unable to help directly. As a mother, wife, sister, and daughter, seeing what the families of the hostages are going through has been heartbreaking. Not being able to help in Israel fueled my desire to find a way to make a meaningful impact here. I realized that the strength of our community—built through connection and support—could be one of the most powerful tools we have right now. It became clear to me that the best source of support would come from within the Israeli and Jewish communities themselves. Both communities are facing similar struggles, and I believe that by coming together, we can heal, help the hostages and build a collective strength that will carry us through these challenging times.”

Why I Volunteer: 2024 Award Recipients