tradition of strong volunteer leadership. Gross brings significant professional experience as a
principal at Gross Builders and many years of extensive volunteer leadership involvement.
being the Federation's board chair since it affords me an inside opportunity to work with
great volunteers and professionals in helping Jews in Cleveland and around the world on
issues where collective action is paramount and individual action is not sufficient."
of trustees. As the 2011-2012 general campaign chair, Gross rallied community members to
collectively raise more than $56 million for the Federation's Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs,
the annual fundraising campaign that ensures our community's vitality and vibrancy in the year
ahead. Gross's passion for the annual campaign began many years ago, as he was recognized for
his campaign leadership and dedication with the 1991 Milton and Marvin Kane Young Leader-
ship Award, (currently known as the Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award).
position of Gross Schechter Day School president in 1991. Gross is a past board chair of the
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, and past president of the American Technion Society's
Northern Ohio Chapter, which provides critical support to the Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology, an Israeli university.
Horvitz, Randall J. Korach, Idelle K. Wolf, and Sandra Wuliger; treasurer, Daniel N. Zelman and
associate treasurer, Beth Wain Brandon. Gross and the new slate of Federation officers were
elected at the April 14 board of trustees meeting.
fourth-, and fifth-grade students, along with
their parents, recently enjoyed an educa-
tional evening that focused on the story
Extra Credit, by Andrew Clements. In honor
of the theme, "Read Around the World,"
the teachers chose a book to highlight a
different part of the world. Extra Credit is a
story about pen pals and how they discover
the differences, yet similarities, between
them one in the United States and one in
Afghanistan.
cussion about serving in the Armed Forces.
Then, in honor of Sam Radtke, Sr. Airman,
U.S Air Force (brother of Gross Schechter's
Middle School Language Arts teacher, Jessie
Ebner), the group packed care packages for
his troop, which is stationed in Saudi Arabia.
In keeping with the theme of the book, the
students and parents then wrote letters to
the soldiers, updating them on the happen-
ings in the United States and expressing
their gratitude to those for serving our
country.
of Tikkun Olam (repair the world). The fol-
lowing letter, written by fifth grader, Arthur
Stadlin, best sums up feelings produced that
night.
are loyal to your country. You have to be
so far away from your family and home,
and you keep them safe, yet you are so far
away. That, my friend, is a true hero. One
who suffers to keep everyone safe.
video games. I love reading though. This is
my favorite book and I hope you like it as
much as I do. I have a brother and a sister
and a puppy. This care package is the least
I can do. Thank you for everything, your
friend, Arthur.
Grinberg in memory of their daughter,
Sveta, who was an avid reader.
image conjured in the brain. Maybe now that image will
change as Mandel JDS students were given the opportunity
of a lifetime, trekking to New York City to compete in the
"Global Classrooms International Middle School Model UN
Conference."
states, took place Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1.
dents were then divided into different committees reflecting
the actual makeup of the "real" United Nations. For example,
International security); FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization); ILO (International Labor
Organization); and GA3 SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee).
Goldfeder, and Nadiv Ballin. Seventh-graders were Andy Solganik, Ryan Rovner, and Tyler
Goetz.
Jack Gordon.