22 | APRIL 22 • 2021 C ongregation Shir Tikvah in Troy is con- ducting a shoe drive fundraiser with drive-thru, con- tactless drop-off collection dates noon-1 p.m. Sundays, April 25, and May 16 and 23. Shir Tikvah will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. The funds will go toward social action initiatives, arts and cul- ture education, community out- reach, membership support and facility enhancements. Anyone can help by donat- ing gently worn, used and new shoes at Shir Tikvah, 3900 Northfield Parkway, Troy, (off of Wattles Road, between Crooks and Coolidge). All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small busi- ness) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepre- neurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small busi- nesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes col- lected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One bud- ding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school. “We are excited about our shoe drive, ” said Executive Director Lorelei Berg. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for the important work we do as a congregation, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone. ” By donating shoes to Congregation Shir Tikvah, they will be given a second chance and make a difference in peo- ple’s lives around the world. Every pair of shoes counts. For more information, visit shirtikvah.org. OUR COMMUNITY Director of Lifelong Learning Sarah Chisholm, Executive Director Lorelei Berg and Rabbi Alicia Harris SHIR TIKVAH Congregation Shir Tikvah launches shoe drive fundraiser. Best Foot Forward JN STAFF T he Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit will honor Jewish lead- ers in our community at its annual Awards Night on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more than 100 years, the Jewish Federation has been a lay-led organization, whose success has always been made possible due to the incredi- ble leadership of community members. Its success is a result of the partnership between its professionals and lay-leaders. Each year, Federation recogniz- es a group of exceptional indi- viduals for their contributions to the community. Jeannie Weiner and Neal Zalenko will receive the 2021 William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Awards. The awards were established in 2000 to honor those individ- uals who have devoted a life- time of service to the Jewish community of Detroit and the Jewish people. In 2016, the awards were named to honor the life and legacy of William Davidson (of blessed memory). Also, being honored at the annual Awards Night are three young people being recog- nized with Federation’s Young Leadership Awards. Brooke Bendix will receive the Sylvia Simon Greenberg Award; Jonathan H. Schwartz will receive the Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award and Ilana Goldberg Block will receive the Mark-Lis Family Young Leadership Award. Risa Berris, a communal professional at Jewish Family Service, will receive the Mandell L. & Madeleine H. Berman Award for Outstanding Professional Jewish Communal Service Driven by their connection to our Jewish heritage and history, each honoree exemplifies the ideal of exercising positive and productive leadership for our community. The Jewish Federation invites the entire community to join May 3 as it celebrates these incredible individuals. To register, visit www. jewishdetroit.org/awards. PHOTOS COURTESY FEDERATION Awards night will be May 3 on Zoom. Jewish Federation to Fete 6 Leaders for Devoted Sevice JN STAFF Neal Zalenko Brooke Bendix Jeannie Weiner Ilana Goldberg Block Jonathan H. Schwartz Risa Berris