The UJA-Federation of New York recently held their Annual Sephardic Event at the magnificent ocean front home of Ester and Joey Jerome. The event was held in honor of their father, Morris Bailey, an active philanthropist and a pillar of the Sephardic community who was given the Sephardic Leadership Award.
Joey Jerome opened the evenings program thanking Harry Adjmi, Ben Askhenazy, Joseph Cayre, Jojo Chehebar, Stanley Chera and Eli Gindi who put forth a tremendous effort to raise funds and develop an incredible commemorative journal. Joey thanked his sons, Louis and Morris Jerome, who chaired the event and also thanked the event committee, Norma Cohen, Micki Horovits and Ester Jerome.
Joey Jerome acknowledged David J. Hidary and presented him with an award for his unprecedented tenure from 2000-2012. Jerome also acknowledged Morris D. Matalon, co-chair of the Sephardic campaign from 2010-2012.
The evening unfolded with exceptional tributes from Louis J. Jerome and Morris B. Jerome about their grandfathers integrity, honesty, leadership and legacy. The audience was deeply moved by their profound respect and admiration.
The keynote speaker Dr. John Ruskay, Executive Vice President and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York spoke about the UJA-Federations three-pronged mission to care for people in need, to strengthen Jewish communities, and to inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning. Since 1948, with UJAs support, the Jewish Agency has brought more than 3 million men and women from every conceivable nation to Israelenabling them to establish new lives in Israel. UJA-Federation impacts 4.5 million people every year.
After several video tributes from Morris family members and business associates, Ruskay recognized Morris Baileys outstanding communal service as the founder of the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, as chairman of the Sephardic Community Alliance, an organization that reinforces and preserves the traditional Sephardic way of life, and as former chairman of the board of Magen David Yeshivah.
I am so proud to announce that UJA-Federations Sephardic Leadership Award will now be known as the Morris Bailey Leadership Award, said Ruskay. Morris has provided an example of what we can all aspire to become. He is a leader, a visionary and an inspiration to us alla leader who takes responsibility seriously.
Joining Ruskay on the podium to accept his award, Bailey said, I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to be receiving this meaningful award from UJA-Federation. It is an organization that commands my utmost respect and admiration. The reason I accepted this honor was to inspire our communitys leaders and members to become involved and participate with this incredible organization that has been a part of my life for over 30 years.
Bailey spoke about the growing relationship between UJA-Federation and the Sephardic community and cited a few examples, UJA-Federation has always aided our community in its greatest time of need. From the planning stages and building of the SCC, to rescuing 4,000 Syrian Jews in 1992 to providing leadership development for our youth today, they continue to help us build a vibrant community for our children and their future. I feel incredibly privileged to speak on behalf of UJA-Federation and I graciously accept this award with deep humility.
Over 200 guests were inspired by the evening, and gained a deeper understanding of UJA-Federations role and commitment in the Syrian community and the broader Jewish community.q
