Michael Friedman, Jeanne Tobin and Michael Siegal Named as CJN Difference Makers The Cleveland Jewish News recently celebrated its “18 Difference Makers” at an Awards Ceremony at Landerhaven. Included were Beachwood residents Michael Friedman and Jeanne Tobin; and Beachwood High School graduate (class of 1970) Michael Siegal. Michael Friedman Michael Friedman likes to fly under the radar. Whether he’s helping the Friendship Circle or Aish HaTorah, or delivering food with Meals on Wheels, or providing employment opportunities to those down on their luck, Friedman’s style has been to do it without fanfare. “I get my buzz by helping people,” said Friedman, who graduated from The Ohio State University in Columbus with a degree in communications and marketing. “I've worked hard to get where I am today and I like to give back and make people feel good. That is how I get my buzz.” Friedman’s role models are Lee Seidman and the late Tom Ganley, both auto dealers who not only taught him the business, but to help others. He also praised his late father, Richard; his mother, Lois; and companion, Linda Blumenthal. At a Glance As a Professional: General manager of Ganley Volkswagen, Subaru and Fiat of Bedford Significant Other: Linda Blumenthal Children: Morgan, Mara and Matthew Synagogue: Park Synagogue In the Community: Friendship Circle, Meals on Wheels, Rescue Village, Aish HaTorah, Milestones Autism Resources, Menorah Park Center for Senior Living, Montefiore, Susan G. Komen For the Cure and The Gathering Place. Noteworthy Facts: Owner of thoroughbred racehorses, and is very close to his family. Jeanne Tobin When Jeanne Tobin moved to Cleveland to work for Key Corp. 22 years ago, she thought she would eventually return to Columbia, Md., where she had raised her children. However, due in no small part to the welcoming, philanthropic Jewish community as well as Cleveland’s unifying sports teams and quality classical music, the Tobins never left. Tobin has been president of the Mandel Jewish Community Center and president of The Temple-Tifereth Israel. During her presidency, the Mandel JCC saw increased programming and a large renovation and expansion. Tobin also oversaw the recent renovation and expansion at The Temple. What motivates her to make a difference is a combination of learning tikkun olam (repairing the world) at a young age from her parents’ actions and values and trying to improve the world for her children, grandchildren and future generations. At a Glance As a Professional: Retired executive vice president of Key Corp. Spouse: Dr. Jordan Tobin Children: Steven Tobin, Donald Tobin, Cynthia Port, Adam Tobin and Karen Rabb Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel In the Community: Past president of the Mandel JCC; immediate past president of The Temple-Tifereth Israel (chair of the Temple Tomorrow project); past board member of JCC Association of North America; chair of Federation’s Leadership Roundtable; past member of the Federation’s OCC; past member of the Federation’s finance and investment committee, member of Federation’s HRD committee; Cleveland representative for National Alliance JFNA; board member at JECC; new board member at the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation; past executive board member at Cleveland Alzheimer’s Association Noteworthy: Founding board member of ChamberFest Cleveland music festival. Tobin also has 10 grandchildren, Alex, Anne, Diana, Amelia, Phoebe, JuliaRose, Charlie, Micah, Jonah and Tessie. Michael Siegal Michael Siegal always knew he would be a volunteer in the Jewish world, but he never knew to what extent until after college. “It was sometime in my early 20s when I was invited to an Israel Bonds dinner,” said Siegal, who earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Miami of Ohio in 1974. “My parents were involved in the Jewish National Fund here in Cleveland and my father took me to Israel in 1975, which was my first trip.” It was important to Siegal to have a Jewish nation and to help them build economic, moral and physical strength, which resonated with Siegal after attending an Israel Bonds dinner. At the time, he never thought he would be chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland or the Jewish Federations of North America. Siegal credits his late parents, Molly and Sol Siegal, for instilling in him a love for Judaism and Israel. He also praised the Wexner Heritage Program, of which he and his wife, Anita, were part. The program is designed for Jewish learning and leadership development for volunteer leaders in North America. In 2014, the Siegals established a $1.25 million endowment through the Federation to fund the Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program. At a Glance: As a Professional: Chairman and CEO of Olympic Steel Inc. Spouse: Anita Children: Rachel, Zachary, Erica Synagogue: Park Synagogue In the Community: Immediate past chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, chair of Secure Community Network, head of government relations between Diaspora Jewry and the government of Israel, Jewish Federation of Cleveland board of trustees Noteworthy: Four grandchildren, ages 9, 7, 5, 1, the three oldest living in Baltimore, the youngest in Cleveland. Additional honorees included: Tom Adler, Martin Belsky, Seth Briskin, Rabbi Simcha Dessler, Rabbi Eli Dessler, Steven Dettelbach, Dr. Howard Epstein, Brynna Fish, Shelly Friedman, Michael Haas, Sara Hurand, Gary Isakov, Eva Kahana, Keith Libman and Kim Strausser. The Civic Leadership Award was presented to David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; and the Generation Award to Dani Berns, co-founder of The Race; Josh Berns, co-founder of The Race; and Dr. Patti Beckman Berns, dentist and philanthropist. 38 Beachwood Buzz n December 2016