AOI OLDER ADULTS HONOREE

Louise Katz

Louise has passionately volunteered to support the Jewish community thanks to the example set by her mother, Beatrice, a Russian immigrant. When Louise was growing up in Philadelphia, her mother instilled in her the importance of helping others. Every Shabbat, Beatrice would put money in a little blue box to support the Jewish National Fund, and so Louise followed her example by helping people within the Jewish community.

Louise was confirmed at Congregation Adath Jeshurun at Broad and Diamond Streets in Philadelphia, and graduated from Temple University and Gratz College. After a move to Moorestown with her husband, Lenny, and two children, Sandy and David, her family joined Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, where Louise is an active member of the Sisterhood. In the mid 1990’s, Louise was introduced to Jewish Family Children’s Service (JFCS) by her dear friend, Dr. Richard Kahn. Thirty years later she’s still volunteering!

In 2004, Louise volunteer-led an abridged, monthly Shabbat service at The Evergreens retirement community in Moorestown, where she also taught residents about Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, and Passover. She has expanded the Shabbat program to include Harmony Village, a Memory Care program in Moorestown.

Currently, Louise volunteers at Cafe Europa, offering support and socialization for Holocaust Survivors through engaging in music, dancing, and craft activities. In 2016, she began volunteering at Café Connection, a program for individuals living with dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Louise was a member of the JFCS Board of Trustees from 2003-2007. In 2007, she earned the distinguished honor of JFCS Volunteer of the Year. Today, Louise enjoys spending time with her extended family which includes four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Making the time to volunteer at the Jewish Federation is a priority even as an older adult.

AOI SPECIAL NEEDS HONOREE

Mindy Rosen

Mindy has passionately dedicated her life to promoting the recreational, educational, social and accessible acceptance of people with special needs. She has attended Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to help parents understand their child’s rights to a thorough and efficient education and empowered them to become advocates in their own right. By doing this she fostered collaboration amplifying the impact of these advocacy efforts. Her goal is not just raising awareness but taking concrete actions to address systemic issues and create a more equitable society.

Mindy’s most rewarding advocacy was working with Mayda Clarke on the Camp Committee in 1993, dedicated to inclusion, resulting in JCC Camps at Medford’s Open Hearts/Open Doors (OH/OD) program, which provides accommodations that enable children with disabilities to fully participate with age-appropriate peers at camp. Starting with six campers, the program most recently had over 85 campers enrolled. 

Mindy also views her role as President of the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation as some of her most important work. During this time, she was invited to join the New Jersey Task Force for Comprehensive Newborn Screening, which helped pass legislation expanding newborn screening which impacts countless lives. She is grateful to know that so many babies have been saved every day because of this work she did alongside her husband, Larry.

Mindy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University, where she started the Hillel Chapter still operating today. She worked for various Jewish nonprofits including Allied Jewish Appeal in Philadelphia as a fundraiser, and for Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey as a job developer, helping with the resettlement of Russians by finding them employment. 

She and Larry have been married for 48 years and have two sons, Brett and Mitchell, a “daughter-in-love” Jessica and two grandchildren.

AOI GLOBAL CONNECTIONS HONOREE

Avital Zeffren (Baked B’Ahava)

Avital Zeffren was born and raised in New Jersey. She is the oldest of four siblings and credits her parents, Rabbi Yehuda and Andria Rosenbaum, with cultivating her charitable spirit. When she first moved to Cherry Hill six years ago, she worked as the School Nurse and Student Activities Coordinator at Politz Day School, and then accidentally fell into the professional world of fundraising by becoming Politz's Development Coordinator. She recently joined the JFSNJ Development Team as the Fundraising & Donor Support Specialist. 

After October 7th, Avital was inspired by businesses donating percentages of their sales to relief efforts in Israel. Not owning a business herself, she decided to turn to one of her favorite hobbies - baking - and baked a big batch of challahs that she posted for sale on Facebook. She donated 100% of the sales money to charities in Israel. A few friends saw what Avital was doing and asked if they could do the same...and Baked B'ahava was born. Baked B'ahava is currently composed of a group of community members who bake and cook different items and sell them by advertising on social media and community WhatsApp groups. Each week the group chooses a different charity in Israel to donate 100% of the money to, covering the costs of their bakes out of their own pockets. Avital created and has maintained a WhatsApp group with over 100 members where she posts the bakers' items available each week. To date, the group has raised over $33,000...all in the past six months.

Avital and her husband Yaakov live on the West Side of Cherry Hill with their three beautiful children, Penny (11), Aaron (7), and Johnny (3). When she's not trying out new recipes, playing with her kids, or working, she enjoys curling up with a good book and playing basketball.

AOI COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HONOREE

Mark Shapiro

Mark Shapiro is a founding partner in Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP, a law firm in Marlton. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate and franchise law. 

Mark has served on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey for the past 25 years. He started his Federation journey with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Board and Young Leadership Council (predecessor to the Young Adult Division). Then, he had a 17-year run with the Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service Board, including serving as President. He has also served on the Jewish Community Foundation, Inc. (JCF) Board. Mark is the current Chair of the Zell Federation Leadership Institute (FLI) and of JFSNJ’s Financial Assistance Committee. He is a past Chair of JFSNJ’s Planning and Visioning Committee. He is an active member of Temple Beth Sholom, where his amazing wife Alison is the Board President. Alison and Mark are very proud of their two adult sons, Jordan and Justin. Mark is grateful for the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of his parents, Gail and Harvey, who well-modeled volunteering for the improvement of our vibrant Jewish community. 

AOI FAMILY & YOUTH HONOREE

Brooke Mailhiot

Dr. Brooke Mailhiot is a dynamic leader whose impact on youth and families in the South Jersey Jewish community spans decades. From her early involvement in graduating from the Judaic Studies program at Drexel University under the mentorship of Dr. Rakmiel Peltz, Brooke's commitment to education and cultural understanding is evident. Her work as one of the cinematographers of "Toby’s Sunshine: The Life and Art of Holocaust Survivor Toby Knobel Fluek" showcases her passion for preserving and sharing the stories of the past and working in collaboration with the Raab Goodwin Center.

As an Associate Professor at Rowan College at Burlington County’s Entertainment Technologies program, Brooke worked with the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill’s Adult department  in partnership with RCBC’s Service Learning Program to produce with her student filmmakers on “Tikkun Olam: Home Away From Home.” This film premiered as part of Katz JCC's Cherry Hill Volvo Cars Jewish Film Festival, which showcased the JCC's Adult Department.

As President of the Moorestown Jewish Association (MJA), Brooke has spearheaded initiatives that foster connections and collaboration within Moorestown and beyond.

After Hamas’s horrific attack on Israel on October 7th, Brooke organized the MJA Unity Gathering, where she collaborated with community leaders, including the Moorestown Township Government, Moorestown Police Department, local religious leaders, Moorestown Muslims, students, and local synagogues to hold a ceremony and candlelight vigil in the center of town. Brooke’s community collaborations to assist in educating her local community about Judaism and culture are endless.

As a host mother to Shinshinit from Israel, Brooke exemplifies her commitment to fostering cultural exchange and nurturing future leaders. Her husband Wesley and children Chase (11) and Reese (10) are her biggest supporters, as are her volunteer MJA Board Members. Her tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on our community, inspiring us all to strive for meaningful change.

The Inspiration Behind
the Love Impact Awards

Honoring the legacy of Donald Love, z”l, the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey established the Love Impact Awards to celebrate those in our community who follow in Don’s footsteps of volunteer work. Don was an innovator and always looked at how programs could make an impact in our community. The Love Impact Awards honor local volunteers whose sacred work has made a lasting impact in Southern New Jersey, just like Don’s lifetime of volunteering did.  

Our Jewish Federation and family of agencies distribute our resources into five Areas of Impact, together making an impact in our community and overseas, reaching all ages and supporting diverse needs and interests. These Areas of Impact – Older Adults, Special Needs, Global Connections, Community Engagement, and Family & Youth – and their related programs and services offer comprehensive support to our community. Each Area of Impact is represented in the Love Impact Awards as its own category for which community members can be nominated. 

Judy Love

Marvin Samson Foundation