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JVS jubilation

Abby Snay, executive director of Jewish Vocational Service, has been named one of the Bay Area’s “Most Admired CEOs” in the nonprofit category by the San Francisco Business Times. Snay, who has headed JVS for 27 years, is the first CEO of a Jewish communal organization to receive this award. She was recognized for her leadership and innovation on local and national levels in helping to improve workforce development systems and meeting the human resources needs of local businesses. JVS, which serves more than 5,000 people per year, has placed more than 1,000 people in new jobs over the past year.

And a few other JVS items: Daniel Baer, Dana Corvin, Jim Koshland, Ben Tulchin, Michael Walker and Susan Zetzer joined the 2011-12 JVS board earlier this year … The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association honored Natalie Berg, the JVS board president, as a 2011 Silver SPUR Award winner at its Oct. 31 luncheon … And JVS received a $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation to help young people seeking careers in health care.

 

Complex face of Israel

Abdallah Ahmed Halalila, one of six teachers in Israel to be named a teacher of the year out of a pool of 4,000, was in San Francisco recently. He was hosted by Barak Loozon, the Israeli emissary to the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, and the director for young adult engagement at the federation’s Israel Center.

Halalila, an Arab Muslim, visited several Jewish day schools and at least one public school and met with the Israeli Consulate staff. He teaches in Sachnin, a largely Muslim village, and has led national programs to incorporate computers and the Internet within the Arab educational system.

“He himself is inspiring in how he works with the kids, bringing technology to the school room, and bridging the school environment with home,” writes Michal Kohane, director of the Israel Center. “It’s another face on the complex — and beautiful — face of Israel.”

 

Mea culpa

In my last column, in an item about Marin’s Marc Press receiving “lilac tov” messages while his son was hospitalized, I mistakenly used the wrong first name for Micah Press, Marc and Kim Press’ son. My apologies to the Press family. In letting me know of my goof, Kim also provided this update on her son’s progress: “Micah has been in a halo brace since he came home from UCSF on Sept. 29. He will have a CT scan on Nov. 18 and hopefully have the whole thing removed then. He is looking forward to a haircut and a long shower.”

 

Short shorts …

Alan Richards of Burlingame writes that Ava and Olivia Aptekar, two of his 9-month-old triplet grandchildren (Jacob is the third) are regulars on the NBC series “Chuck” … Jill Sampson of Mill Valley was recognized as volunteer of the week in the Marin Independent Journal for her work with Marin CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  Sampson also serves as the chair of the public issues committee for Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Marin region … The Chronicle’s “Inside Scoop” reported that Wise Sons pop-up deli proprietors Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman have leased a spot on 24th Street in San Francisco for their permanent Jewish deli. It’s slated to open early next year. In the meantime, they can be found on Tuesdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Also at that market is Jesse Friedman, proprietor of SodaCraft, which makes  “handcrafted sodas using local and sustainable produce,” according to its website.

 

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