10/22/2025
WATCH: Susan Reis Receives 2025 Irene Zehman Volunteer Award
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced today that Susan Reis is the 2025 recipient of the Irene Zehman Volunteer Award. Each year, the Federation recognizes a Jewish woman or group of women who demonstrate the highest ideals and practices of volunteer service on behalf of the Jewish and/or general community. Reis, a dedicated community volunteer with NCJW/CLE, Greater Cleveland Congregations, and Rekindle, was honored at the Federation’s Women IN Philanthropy MaIN Event on October 22.
Susan began volunteering in the 1980s, later dedicating herself full-time to advocacy work rooted in Jewish values. Through her leadership with NCJW/CLE, Federation’s Community Relations Committee, and Greater Cleveland Congregations, she has advanced causes including gun violence prevention, Medicaid expansion, and public education funding. Today, she continues her bridge-building work as tri-chair of GCC’s Strategy Team and co-chair of alumni engagement for Rekindle, which strengthens Black–Jewish relations.
“My parents chose to live in a community that valued diversity, and that has always stayed with me,” Reis said. “All forms of volunteering matter. Supporting those without the power to make change isn’t about us – it’s about strengthening the community we share. None of this work can be done alone; it takes relationships, trust, and a true sense of community.”
The Irene Zehman Volunteer Award was established in 1980 by Roslyn Z. Wolf and Judith Z. Sherman, both of blessed memory, in memory of their mother, Irene Zehman, who devoted much of her life to giving back to the community through volunteering. Recent recipients of the award include Dassi Shtern, founding board chair of Chaviva High School, Judy Immerman Payne, founding executive director of Goods Bank NEO, and Heather Schlang, chair of Share What You Wear.
“Women IN Philanthropy’s mission is to bring engaged women with shared values together to leverage our collective power and strengthen our community,” said Ilana Isakov Katz, Women IN Philanthropy chair. “Susan embodies that mission, reminding us that when challenges seem daunting, our obligation is to begin the work and inspire others to join.”
In addition to the presentation of the Irene Zehman Volunteer Award, the Women IN Philanthropy MaIN Event featured special guests Julie Platt, immediate past chair of Jewish Federations of North America and current chair of LiveSecure, and Sarah Hurwitz, bestselling author of As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story From Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us.
For more information about Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Women IN Philanthropy, please visit www.jewishcleveland.org.
