08/27/2020
Keith Libman Receives Prestigious Gries Family Award
- Share This Story
Award recognizes individual’s impact on Cleveland communities
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that Keith Libman is the 2020 recipient of the Gries Family Award in recognition of his lasting impact of Cleveland’s Jewish and general communities. For 25 years, the Gries Family Award has honored individuals who have demonstrated extensive top leadership in Federation and other local Jewish organization activities, as well as significant leadership in Greater Cleveland’s general community. Libman, a dedicated community volunteer and partner at Bober Markey Fedorovich, was presented the award at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland Board of Trustees meeting on August 26.
“I’ve always tried to spend the extra time or extra dollar to the benefit of others, and I love the opportunities that I have been given to participate in our community,” Libman said. “To be honored by the Gries family is overwhelming to me. I am inspired by their gravitas, intellect, and generosity.”
Libman, who currently serves as Federation’s Security Committee Chair, has been heavily involved with the organization for many years. His past leadership includes serving as a Federation vice chair, chair of the Administrative Committee, as well as involvement with the Community Planning, Audit, Finance & Investment, and Government Relations Committees.
In addition to his involvement with the Federation, Libman has served on numerous Jewish organization boards. He is a past president of The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Menorah Park, and the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation. Libman is a current board member of Jewish Federations of North America and Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.
In the general community, Libman is a board member of Global Cleveland, Karamu House, and United Way of Greater Cleveland. He brings his vast fiscal knowledge to all of the organizations in which he serves.
“In whatever community work he undertakes, Keith demonstrates a prodigious work ethic, an understanding of the mission of each of the boards upon which he serves, and an admirable willingness to roll up his sleeves to become deeply involved in the work of the institution he is serving,” said Enid Rosenberg, Gries Award Selection Committee chair and a past Gries Family Award recipient, who presented Libman with the award. “He not only participates, he asks insightful questions and brings others into the fold. Thank you, Keith, for your leadership.”
The Gries family was one of the first Jewish families to settle in Cleveland. The Gries Family Award includes a donation to a charitable cause chosen by the recipient. Libman designated his donation to the Jewish Cleveland Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund and the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, and together with his wife, Nancy, matched these gifts. Bober Markey Fedorovich also made donations to these causes in Keith’s honor.
