Israel Bonds, B’ham Federation and Foundation team up for awards event

Israel Bonds, the Birmingham Jewish Federation and Birmingham Jewish Foundation are once again teaming up for a joint awards program, Dec. 13 at Temple Beth-El.

Israel Bonds will honor Sheryl and Jon Kimerling for their dedication to the Birmingham Jewish community, Israel and Israel Bonds. The Kimerling family has provided funding to upgrade and expand the Kimerling Center in Rosh Ha’Ayin, which was built over 30 years ago by Jon’s grandparents, Max and Tillie Kimerling.

The Kimerlings have played numerous leadership roles in the community, including recently chairing the Federation’s Annual Campaign to its highest-ever total. Sheryl Kimerling has served on the Foundation’s board and is currently campaign vice chair for National Women’s Philanthropy, a division of the Jewish Federations of North America. She is also on the JFNA board.

The Federation will present its annual awards at the event. The Federation’s Joanie Bayer Young Leadership Award will be given to Layne Held. He is part of the Federation’s Leadership Initiatives for Tomorrow, which gives community members in their 20s and 30s leadership roles. He, his siblings and their spouses will be working with his parents, Ginger and Jerry Held, as chairs of the 2013 Annual Campaign.

Held is also on the board of the Levite Jewish Community Center and vice chair of the junior board for Magic Moments. He coached the Birmingham Maccabi basketball team in Israel during the summer of 2011, and is active with Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Children’s Hospital Leaders of the Future and United Way’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program local board.

A previous Young Leadership recipient, Randi Landy, will receive the Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award. She and husband Dave chaired the Federation’s 2012 Annual Campaign, which launched “Operation Grassroots” to broaden the base of donors. In addition to the Federation, she is on the boards of the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and the LJCC.

The Foundation will present its N.E. Miles Lifetime Achievement Award to Sherron and Allan Goldstein. The award recognizes long-time Federation donors who have endowed their annual campaign gifts in perpetuity.

Retired Marine General Charles Krulak, now the president of Birmingham-Southern College, will be the speaker. After serving from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War, and being part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Krulak retired from the Marines and joined MBNA America in 1999 as chief administrative officer. He retired from MBNA in 2005, then became non-executive director of a British soccer team that the MBNA chairman owned.

Krulak was friends with Israeli military legend Moshe Dayan, and has visited Israel numerous times.

Admission to the event is free. There will be a reception at 5 p.m. and the program will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Chairing the evening are Carol and Jimmy Filler, who will be honored at a national Israel Bonds gathering in January. The Fillers will join 18 other recipients of the Israel 65 Award at the International Prime Minister’s Club Gala, which according to Israel Bonds is the most prestigious event Israel Bonds has each year.

The evening begins with a light reception at 5 p.m., and the program at 6:15 p.m. There is no admission charge, and reservations are requested to the Federation office.