For 55 years, American Jewish Committee (AJC) has honored outstanding student volunteers of all faiths who have demonstrated a passion for making our community a better place in which to live with the Simon Lazarus, Jr., Human Relations Awards. One junior winner, four junior finalists, one senior winner and four senior finalists have been recognized for their exemplary volunteer accomplishments and awarded a cash prizes.

 

Jordynn Jenkins '20, a senior at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy was selected as one of the 2020 Lazarus Awards finalists. Through both her character and her many accomplishments, Jordynn embodies the spirit of the Simon Lazarus, Jr. Human Relations Awards. As a young child Jordynn always found joy in helping others. She continues to give, overseeing student-led monthly chapel services for elementary age students. Jordynn spearheaded this effort with enthusiasm and creativity for the past three years, serving as a role model for the younger students, impressing the faculty with her leadership and determination. Beyond these efforts, Jordynn impacts the culture and atmosphere of her fellow students and the entire school by initiating Undivided, a student-led, all-school assembly addressing issues of culture and race. Born of a heartfelt desire to build understanding and create an undivided community, Jordynn led efforts to create this forum for students of different backgrounds to come together and experience a safe place for learning, sharing, and growth. Undivided is now an annual event that has inspired additional projects. Through all these efforts, and more, Jordynn has made an impact as an inspiring, selfless leader. CHCA Outreach Coordinator Karen Hordinski said of Jordynn, “with great passion and commitment to better the world, our nominee is a positive, determined force who not only will change the world, but already has.”

 

In addition to Jordynn, the 2020 Simon Lazarus, Jr., Human Relations Awards went to Jillian Rice, senior winner, from Indian Hill High School and Caitlin Broderick, junior winner, from Wyoming High School. The other senior finalists included Sean Fallis, Bethel-Tate High School; Abby Jarrold, Archbishop McNicholas High School; and Dalal Shalash, Mercy McAuley High School. Junior finalists were Alivia Hyland, Saint Ursula Academy; Hannah Laman, Loveland High School; Anna MacLennan, Anderson High School; and Tamar Sella, Walnut Hills High School.

 

The Simon Lazarus, Jr., Human Relations Awards are named for an accomplished leader of the American Jewish Committee. Simon Lazarus, Jr. was president of the Cincinnati region from 1951-1953, and a member of the national Board of Governors. The late Mr. Lazarus was a distinguished Cincinnati attorney. He also chaired the Mayor's Friendly Relations Committee, the forerunner of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.

 

This year, the 2020 Lazarus Committee volunteers vetted the anonymized submissions and selected 10 semifinalists from each grade. Jeanne Weiland, Lazarus Committee co-chair, stated, “The nominees inspire and amaze us with their creativity, dedication to service, and passion to repair the world.” “Each of them has what it takes to be a leader. Our hope for a more socially just world is closer to reality based on the abilities of these outstanding students,” added co-chair Jan Armstrong Cobb.

 

In addition to Cobb and Weiland, members of the 2020 Lazarus Committee include Deborah Birckhead, Lizzie Birckhead, Michael Charnay, Jennifer Cobb, Trudy Craig, Julie Elkus, Rob Festenstein, Alan Gross, Andy Heldman, Debbie Heldman, Jim Heldman. Cantor Alane Katzew, Sarah Moskovitz, Jenny Oestreicher, Marlene Ostrow, Dov Rosenberg, Steve Sacks, Jim Salters, Kathy Sands, Kim Slaton, Erica Smith, Gary Smith, Ron Solomon, Nancy Warren, Natalie Wolf, Abbie Youkilis, and John Youkilis. An illustrious panel of judges diligently read and considered each semifinalist’s essay and recommendations and selected the award winners and finalists. The 2020 Lazarus Award judges were James Buchanan, Director, Brueggeman Center, Xavier University; Todd Dykes, Investigative Reporter, WLWT; Charley Frank, Executive Director, Reds Community Fund; Tyra Patterson, Community Outreach Strategy Specialist, Ohio Justice & Policy Center; and Jaipal Singh, Principal Architect and Owner, CHAATRIK Architecture.

 

AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and worldwide. For more than a century, AJC has been the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, with 22 offices across the United States, twelve overseas offices and/or representatives in Berlin, Brussels, Prague, Paris, Rome, Sofia, Warsaw, Jerusalem, New Delhi, São Paulo, Tokyo, and South East Asia, and institutes that engage in Latin America, the Far East, Africa, and Europe.