We have so many involved and caring members who regularly go above and beyond in their efforts to learn, grow, and take part in meaningful social action. Here are just a few.

• Sandra S. Barnett Caring & Mitzvah Award
  It is with great pleasure that we announce that the 2010 recipient of the Sandra S. Barnett Caring & Mitzvah Award was Teri Hunter. This award is given in honor of Sandy Barnett, who for many years was the warm and compassionate face and voice of Touro for so many congregants.It is given “For consistent and continuous acts of compassion and generosity towards all who enter our doors.” The award was presented to Teri at the Annual Meeting on May 16, 2010.

  Those who know Teri know that she can muster more energy about a project that excites her than most people. Fortunately for us, one such project was the Sophie B. Wright Charter School, and more importantly the students there.

  When we asked Teri to be our liaison to the school we never dreamed of the connections she would make and how valuable it would be to Touro Synagogue as we strove to expand our social action imprint on the city around us.

  Because of Teri and the love in her heart, what started as a small painting project has blossomed into a partnership involving tutoring, mentoring, teacher appreciation, advocacy, and, most importantly, friendships.

  Thank you Teri for opening our world and opening our hearts.

• Shepard H. Shushan Memorial Award
  In 2010, the Shepard H. Shushan Award was given to Dr. Bernard Jaffe. The Shepard H. Shushan Memorial Award is presented to someone who best exemplifies the extraordinary legacy of devotion of Shepard H. Shushan through significant achievement and dedication and loyalty to Touro Synagogue.Realizing that Touro Synagogue was without a cantor, as Cantor Seth Warner had left in December of 2006 and Cantor Billy Tiep was yet to come to Touro, Dr. Jaffe came to Rabbi Busch in the winter of 2007 and offered to help teach the B’nai Mitzvah students.

  Thirty-six students later and Dr. Jaffe is still coming in two afternoons a week to teach, train, mentor and befriend our B’nai Mitzvah students. Knowing the importance of understanding and not just memorizing, Dr. Jaffe explains the meaning of the prayers and how they fit into the Jewish religion and culture.

  Bernie feels that he gets more from the students than they get from him, but we know how lucky we are to have Dr. Jaffe as a member of Touro Synagogue. How fortunate our children are that he is willing to give so much of himself.