In each day of the biblical creation story appears the phrase, “and God saw it was good.” On Tuesday, the third day, however, the phrase appears twice. Because of that, Tuesday is considered a lucky day and Jews often plan weddings for Tuesdays.
This year, the Zaret Award for Outstanding Jewish Communal Service seems to be following the notion that luck comes in pairs because it is being given to not one, but two, communal workers.
At a 7:30 p.m. dessert reception on Dec. 5 at Brynwood Country Club, the award will be presented to community shaliach Nir Barkin and Rabbi Shlomo Pontos, religious services director at the Jewish Home and Care Center.
The Zaret award recognizes outstanding, innovative service to the Jewish community by a professional and is intended to acknowledge and encourage excellence and commitment to Jewish life. The winners are nominated by members of the community and selected by the Zaret Award Committee.
The award is made possible by Zaret Endowment Fund, established by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation in 1984 to mark Melvin S. Zaret’s retirement as executive vice president and his lifetime of association with local, national and international Jewish agencies.
The recipients are awarded a grant of $2,000 to be used toward an educational experience that enhances their knowledge and effectiveness.
This year, the federation’s centennial, marks several firsts: the first special event being planned for the Zaret award, the first time two recipients were chosen and the first time the award has been granted to a community shaliach.
Marilyn Pelz, chair of the Zaret Award Committee, believes that Barkin and Pontos “truly represent the community as a whole…. They represent the breadth of what goes on in our community. Even though they work in different ways, [they represent] professionals from one end of the spectrum to the other….”
Barkin, who will complete his fourth year as shaliach next spring, serves as a cultural and informational liaison between the Milwaukee community and the state of Israel. His work is sponsored by the Jewish Agency for Israel and MJF.
Through his position as director of MJF’s Israel Center and of the Israel Aliyah Center, Barkin disseminates information about Israel and study, culture, travel and volunteer opportunities there; coordinates educational programs locally; and provides assistance to those interested in moving to Israel.
According to the committee, Barkin was nominated because he “has raised the bar on what shlichut means…. His tireless ability to envision, plan and produce outstanding programs, community activities, rallies, home hospitalities, etc., is unparalled…. There is not a community group or organization that doesn’t enjoy Nir’s charming personality, invigorating presentations and care and love of Israel.”
Pelz summed up the committee’s reasons for choosing Barkin: “We are obviously very committed to Israel. He’s pointed out the importance of Israel. He’s come out and done a really wonderful job.”
And Barkin expressed his appreciation of the Milwaukee community.
“All along the way, I was blessed with the most embracing and supporting community that has made my job a joyful one and … allowed me to implement my visions.”
When he returns to Israel next summer, Barkin plans to attend rabbinical school at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Jerusalem campus.
“My choice … is a natural continuation of the work that I was exposed to here and the vision that I want to carry in a reverse schlichut back to Israel,” he said.
Pontos sees his sharing the Zaret award with Barkin as “divine providence” because of the strong identification with Israel among residents of the Jewish Home and Care Center. “I think it’s amazing how the older generation has a real love and dedication for Israel,” he said.
Pontos’ receipt of this award marks his chai year, his 18th year with the Jewish Home. He received the award because, according to the committee, “first and foremost, his service to the Home only begins with his dedication to the residents. Time and time again, Rabbi Pontos has shown himself to be invaluable to our family members, providing solace in times of grief and trouble; as a source of information about challenges faced by Home residents and as a constant source of support, validation and caring…. He has made himself available at all hours of the day and night when needed by family members and no issue is too trivial for his attention.”
In addition to leading religious programs in the Jewish Home, Pontos encourages intergenerational programming with local youth and synagogue members. He has also been involved with the Jewish Home’s Caring Partners Volunteer program, from recruiting volunteers to helping with education and orientation. And he has extensive involvement with the Russian Jewish residents of Golda Meir House, who participate in the religious programs and Shabbat services at the JHCC.
Pontos said he is grateful that the award draws attention to the older “silent majority” of the community.
“The nice thing about it,” he said, “is that we’re able to highlight some of the needs of the Jewish elderly in Milwaukee and some of the things that we’re providing for them.
“The other wonderful thing … is that the award committee recognized that a major component in the lives of these Jewish seniors is their spiritual life. I find that most gratifying,” Pontos said.
“One of the lessons I’ve learned from [residents of the JHCC] is the furtherance or encouraging of unity and lack of divisiveness in the Jewish community…. They’re so amazing, so accepting,” he said.
As the award committee discussed Pontos, relayed Pelz, “their faces lit up. That’s a real tribute to him…. One of the people in the meeting said, ‘when I think about him, I just smile.’”
Pontos plans to use the award to learn more about gerontology and to network with other Jewish professionals in his field.
For more information about the reception, which will also recognize past award recipients, call Betty Lieberman at the MJF, 414-390-5732.
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