Over fifty years ago, Adath Jeshurun created the Shem Tov Award as a way of recognizing and thanking individuals who have significantly enriched our congregation. Award winners are selected by a committee of past recipients in acknowledgment not for a single body of work, but rather for their long-standing commitment and record of service to Adath.

As last year’s recipient, it is my honor and privilege to present this year’s award.

This year, the award is for an incredible commitment to Jewish education –as a teacher and a life-long learner at Adath. The way to describe it really is a passion and sincerity about the educational experience for all ages of Adath learners; creating a love for Judaism, Torah and the skills for a meaningful Jewish life. Having grown up at Adath, chairing committees, serving on the Board and Executive Board and committees too numerous to mention, yet always a quiet, dependable, presence at Adath which so many of our staff, young people and adults know they can count on.

This person …. well, actually, this year the Shem Tov Award is being given to 2 people who have blessed our congregation with their presence.

Yes, both grew up at the Adath and celebrated their Bar Mitzvah at Adath. Both are graduates of Bet Midrash Talmud Torah. Both have been actively involved in our SMP program and teach people of all ages. Both have incredible skills they use to lead and enhance our services. Both have 3 children who have grown up at Adath, and their wives and families share this year’s Shem Tov recipients’ commitment to our shul. Both recipients continue their Jewish studies and share their learning with others. Both are modest men who never look for recognition but quietly give of their time and energy to Adath on a nearly daily basis.

One of the honorees was the Vice President of Secondary Education and Ritual Committees. This person has taught Torah reading to children and adults for 20 years – no one knows how many students - but if I asked today, countless hands in this room would rise with the same vigor as when we ascended the bima to read Torah, confident from his encouragement and support. This honoree is Gabbai on a regular basis, and teaches and reads Megilat Esther as well as High Holiday and other trope. Our honoree has been an avid Jewish learner his whole life and as a teen even went to Israel for the International Bible Contest and placed in the Top Ten – quite an accomplishment to compete with all the Yeshiva and Day Schoolers. He continues to study on at least a weekly basis. This person always says yes when asked to do something for our shul.

The other honoree became an avid Jewish learner when his son was becoming Bar Mitzvah. He is currently the Secondary Education Vice President and was previously Vice President of Adult Learning. He is also Chair of the Twin Cities Conservative Consortium which coordinates and provides adult learning opportunities for the conservative synagogues. He has been a driving force behind C.A.M.P., the new Creative Adult Morning Program for adult learners on Shabbat morning. Two years ago, this person received a grant to attend the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and took time from his work and family to study there. He also took part in the Wagner Leadership program at the Conservative Seminary in New York, he studied with Cantor Buckner to learn the evening service and now leads Mincha and Ma’ariv on Tuesday evenings – planning his work travel schedule around that commitment. He has a unique patience and skill in tutoring our young people – so much so that when one of his students was asked to write about a hero in his public school class, the student wrote about this honoree.

I can’t even begin to list all the accomplishments and activities of both honorees.

Adath is fortunate indeed to have two such hard-working and devoted people who share their knowledge and talents with so many of us. It is my honor and pleasure to present this year’s Shem Tov Award to Lon Rosenfield and Todd Werner. Both Todd and Lon truly exemplify the essence of what this award is about: a Shem Tov, a good name.