In just a little more than 48 hours Jewish tradition suggests that our fates will be sealed for the year to come. Since Rosh Hashanah we have been reflecting on our personal behavior of the past year – our relationships with one another and our relationship with our Creator.

Shari Perlmuter grew up in Jewish Cleveland and has spent a lifetime not only giving her time and money to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland but her heart as well. In recognition of that lifelong commitment and passion for the Federation and the Jewish community, Shari is receiving this year’s Ruby Bass Award. Shari hopes her legacy of tikkun olam (repairing the world) lives on for years to come.

“If Federation wasn’t there helping my family, I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today.”

Hi, my name is Sammie Jacobs. I was born and raised in Beachwood, and will be a Senior at Case Western Reserve University this fall. I participated on Onward Israel this past summer, and was one of 42 Clevelanders who went on Onward this year.

Hi, my name is Sammie Jacobs. I was born and raised in Beachwood, and will be a Senior at Case Western Reserve University this fall. I participated on Onward Israel this past summer, and was one of 42 Clevelanders who went on Onward this year.

Leader. Ambitious. Hard worker. 29-year-old Doug Breitenbach is all this and more. A Cleveland native, Doug recently moved back home after living and building a successful wealth management career in Washington, D.C. for seven years.

In January, Women’s Philanthropy launched Coaching Circles, a leadership development program aimed to offer women a supportive and motivating environment to connect through meaningful conversations and peer coaching. Coaching Circles was created to give participants an opportunity to work with seasoned lay leaders to help enhance leadership skills and talents. This program has enabled women to establish new relationships, learn skills related to leadership, develop in an area that is a current challenge related to a career or community volunteerism, and learn about the Federation.