Chesed Awards 2010
Susan Adolf & Dr. Robert Weisberger Honored at RTA Chesed Dinner
Nearly 200 people attended Rudlin Torah Academy’s Annual Chesed Awards Dinner honoring Dr. Robert Weisberger and Susan Adolf at the Weinstein JCC on June 6. The evening’s theme was “Building the Future.”
Ric Arenstein, introducing Dr. Weisberger, called RTA “the single most important institution in Richmond for the future of the Jewish community.”
Arenstein said Bob Weisberger had quietly become an important figure in the Jewish community over the last two decades, working on behalf of numerous organizations and in support of the continued prosperity of Israel.
Weisberger, a retired emergency room physician, thanked Arenstein and others in Richmond who had brought him into charitable organizations and opened his eyes to the needs around him.
Weisberger and Arenstein also ribbed each other about their Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. Weisberger said, “Have you noticed what a big deal Red Sox fans make about winning? It’s because it happens to them so seldom. On the other hand, my adopted team, the Yankees, don’t make such a fuss about it, because they do it so often.”
Master of ceremonies Rich Lehman said he couldn’t believe his good fortune when he learned the Chesed Award would be given to his cousin, Susie, as she is universally known. He remembered going to the Adolfs’ wedding (her husband, Ronnie, is owner of Adolf Jewelers), and catching the garter – then produced the garter from his pocket!
Adolf, co-owner of Saxon Shoes, said she couldn’t remember getting so many compliments all at once. She recalled growing up off of Monument Avenue, near the JCC, and how loved she felt in the Jewish community. She has only ever wanted to repay that debt to the community, she said.
“My number one passion is kids,” she said. “Anything that has do with kids, I’m there.”
Rabbi Yosef and Rivka Bart were honored with the ABCD Award (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) for their countless hours of volunteer work for RTA. “Rivka and I agreed that the number one thing which impressed us about RTA from the very beginning was its welcoming, family feeling,” Rabbi Bart said.
Michele Rubin Hampton, RTA Class of ’75, received the Alumna Award as a tireless champion of the school, including leadership of the Chesed ad sales effort.
In addition, RTA gave out YOD (Years of Dedication) Awards to Jeannine Corey and Dabney Lewis, who have been at the school for 10 years, and Double YOD Awards to Joan Cantor, Pauline Carlton and Rabbi Baruch Sherman, who have taught at RTA for 20 years.
Click here for this years' announcement
