Neveh Shalom brings home honors

By Jewish Review

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At the recent United Synagogue biennial national convention in Florida, Portland’s Congregation Neveh Shalom was recognized with three Solomon Schechter awards.

In the area of publications, Neveh Shalom received both a gold and silver award.

The gold award was in recognition of the spiral-bound book created for the congregation’s capital campaign called “Once in a Generation—For Generations to Come,” designed and produced by Dan Rubin and Black Fish Creative. 

The silver award was given for the booklet Neveh Shalom produced for distribution on Yom Kippur 2006 titled “I Am Jewish.”  “I Am Jewish” were the last words of journalist Daniel Pearl before he was executed by terrorists in Pakistan. These final words inspired Pearl’s parents, Judea and Ruth Pearl, to edit a book of some 150 statements by well-known and famous Jews on what it means to be Jewish. Neveh Shalom’s booklet contained more than 40 personal statements from congregants reflecting on what their Jewish identity means to them.

The honorable mention award was given in the area of outreach to young adults and singles. This award was presented in recognition of our Neveh Shalom Hinenu group, which coordinates events throughout the year for “young people in their 20s and 30s, post college, pre-kids.”

Neveh Shalom president-elect Doug Lenhoff, United Synagogue board member Alan Blank and Neveh Shalom executive director Fred Rothstein represented Neveh Shalom at the national convention of the umbrella organization for Conservative Movement congregations throughout the world.