At our 130th Annual Meeting, we had the honor of recognizing some extraordinary people who make Jewish Cincinnati shine.

Anne Goldstein (Junior Avodah Award): Anne’s official title is Senior Director of Sports & Recreation and Special Projects at the Mayerson JCC. Underneath that title is a workload most people wouldn’t believe and couldn’t manage.

She oversees every youth and adult sports program at the J. She’s the lead planner for the J Classic, organizes community nights with the Reds, FC Cincinnati, and the Cyclones, and plans events celebrating our modern Israeli holidays.

She’s the one parents trust with their kids, whether on the March of the Living in Poland, or at the Maccabi Games. And if Anne isn’t the one in charge, she’s finding and helping the person who is, to make sure everything goes smoothly.

JCC CEO Holly Wolfson says, “Anne embodies all that it means to be part of the JCC movement and a thriving Jewish community. She is a selfless leader who gives her time and enthusiasm to every project.”

Linda Kean (Senior Avodah Award): Linda has given thirty years to Jewish education and human services, twenty-five of them at Jewish Family Service. Since 2022, she has been Chief Operating Officer.

She oversees the Barbash Family Vital Support Center and the Heldman Family Food Pantry. She is also responsible for the current JFS strategic plan and runs day-to-day operations. Her leadership helped JFS serve a record number of people last year, nearly 20 percent more than the year before.

Nancy Warren, past president of the JFS Board of Directors, says “Linda is a can-do-er, with a smile that lights up the room.”

Linda does the kind of work that holds an agency up and serves our most vulnerable friends and neighbors, with a smile. And she does it with the ease of a dancer and a yoga instructor…which makes sense, since she also teaches chair yoga at Adult Day Services.

Jim Heldman (Goldstein Volunteer of the Year): Jim embodies everything we value about Jewish Cincinnati. He once told his children: “Don’t just be a member of a board; get involved with the leadership.” But he didn’t just give this advice; he, of course, modeled the way.

Among his many achievements, Jim has stepped up and served as Rockdale Temple President. He’s also a valuable member of the Federation Executive Committee, Campaign Team, Finance, and Planned Giving and Endowment Committees.

In addition to all of this and his 40-year career at Strauss Troy, he also volunteered with Hebrew Union College, Jewish Cemeteries, JVS Careers, our own JCRC—and that’s just the Jewish community side.

Earlier this year, Jim was asked to speak at the Federation’s Impact Breakfast about his “Jewish joy.” He didn’t talk about achievements. He talked about the life he shares with his wonderful wife, Wendy, their children, and four beautiful grandchildren.

Thank you to Anne, Linda, and Jim. Mazel Tov!