For over one hundred years, the Jewish Federation of Detroit has been a volunteer-led organization, driven by the passion and commitment of its community members. Working side by side with the professional staff, our volunteer leaders bring an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience to virtually every aspect of the work, from agency allocations and planning to community engagement, finance, fundraising and Israel & overseas relations.
These leaders represent a wide range of ages, interests and backgrounds, but all share one thing in common: a profound dedication to the mission of taking care of our most vulnerable individuals and strengthening Jewish life in Detroit, Israel and around the world.
“As someone who has the privilege of working with many of our extraordinary volunteers, I am truly in awe of their talent, hard work and selflessness,” says Federation President, Gary Torgow. “They give of their time, their energy, and most importantly their passion for supporting their fellow Jews.”
Each year, Federation honors and celebrates a group of exceptional individuals at its spring Awards Nights event. The honorees represent individuals with a lifetime of exceptional service along with up-and-coming young leaders who have already made their mark on Jewish Detroit. The event also recognizes an outstanding Jewish communal professional from the Jewish Federation or its partner agencies.
This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at The Berman Center for Performing Arts, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. The event is free and open to the community, and you can register to attend at JewishDetroit.org/Awards.
Our 2024 Honorees
Here’s a look at the honorees and the awards they will receive on May 21.
William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award:
Michael Horowitz and Susie Pappas
Several years ago, Federation established the Lifetime Achievement Award to pay tribute to those who have made a deep and lasting commitment to our local and global Jewish community over a lifetime of service. This award recognizes the longevity of their work, the range of their service, and the significant leadership roles they have assumed. These extraordinary individuals have earned a place among the many great leaders of our Detroit community.
In 2016, Federation changed the name of the Award to the William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor the legacy of an incredible leader of our local, national and international Jewish community.
Michael Horowitz’s work for the Jewish Federation stems from his belief in Klal Yisrael — the idea that Jews are all one people, and we must care for each other. It’s a core value in his life, and one that’s fueled his past five decades of community service. Among Michael’s wide range of achievements, he helped create Federation’s Israel and Overseas Committee and served as its first chair. He co-chaired the Annual Campaign and Partnership 2000, joined the board of governors for the Jewish Agency for Israel, and became actively involved with Jewish Federation of North America. In 2010, Michael became president of the Detroit Federation. In 2011, his career took a turn when he was named the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Atlanta, a post he held for seven years before returning to Detroit to continue his deep involvement in our local community. Michael and his wife Barbara are passionate about passing on their Jewish values to their children and grandchildren, giving to others and helping maintain a vibrant Jewish community.
For Susie Pappas, giving her time, talent and effort to causes bigger than herself is simply second nature. Her Jewish communal service began with Hadassah and ORT, which eventually led to decades of active involvement with the Jewish Federation. Within the Women’s Department, now known as Women’s Philanthropy, she has held an array of leadership positions, eventually serving as President, where she reimagined women’s programs to engage a new generation of women. In addition to many other contributions, Susie has had a tremendous impact on Federation’s campaign efforts, serving as Annual Campaign Chair as well as helping to create several groundbreaking Women’s Philanthropy programs, including the INSPIRE initiative, and the IMPACT mission to Israel. With her husband Norm, Susie created the Pappas Prize, which each year recognizes a Federation staff member for an innovative idea that has impacted the organization. Susie’s career as a volunteer leader is far from over: she is currently the chairperson of the Leonard N. Simmons Jewish Archives, which houses collections that tell the story of Jewish Detroit. As busy as she is, Susie finds time to spend with her children and grandchildren, in Detroit, Chicago and Washington DC.
The Mark-Lis Family Young Leadership Award:
Danielle DePriest
The Mark-Lis Family Young Leadership Award was created in 1993 by Florine Mark (z”l) and her family. It recognizes an established young leader who has shown outstanding commitment and achieved remarkable success within Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit department.
Since being introduced to Federation in 2012, Danielle DePriest has immersed herself in community leadership through NEXTGen Detroit. She took part in a program that placed young leaders on various Federation agency boards, serving as a liaison to JFS where she is now an executive committee member. Danielle has served on the NEXTGen Detroit Board, co-chaired leadership-development programs like Encore and Accelerate, and sat on the Board’s Executive committee, serving as NEXTGen Detroit Campaign Chair for four years. In 2022, she became NEXTGen Detroit’s President, where she helped expand the organization’s impact on young adult engagement and commitment to our community. A mother of two, Danielle is an attorney at Zausmer PC, where she is the firm’s youngest female partner.
The Sylvia Simon Greenberg Award:
Julie Trepeck Harris
The Sylvia Simon Greenberg Award was established in 1965 by the late Samuel S. Greenberg and Ronald and John Greenberg as a memorial to their beloved wife and mother. It recognizes exceptional leadership potential and service to the Jewish community on the part of a young woman.
For Julie Trepeck Harris, serving as a volunteer leader is an essential aspect of her connection to the Jewish community. A camper at Tamarack Camps, she has chaired multiple committees for the agency and was Vice President of Advancement, helping establish a thriving corporate sponsorship program. She helped launch the Campaign for Change where campers learn the value of tzedakah. In addition to her involvement in several other Jewish organizations, Julie is an active leader in Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Department, chairing the Debut group and serving in roles as co-chair of Frost Fest and the most recent Signature event, which brought more than 800 women together. She’ll be joining the board of Women’s Philanthropy this year. Julie stays busy juggling her volunteer work, family and career as a senior attorney at Honigman.
The Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award:
Andrew Sherman
In 1961, Lillian Wetsman and her son, William M. Wetsman, established the Frank A. Wetsman Award as a memorial to their beloved husband and father. The award annually recognizes a young man who demonstrates exceptional leadership potential, as well as interest in and service to Federation, its partner agencies, and Federation’s Annual Campaign.
For Andrew Sherman, stepping up to advance the well-being of the Jewish people is a foundational family value. The grandson of community leader Jane Sherman and great-grandson of Max M. Fisher, Andrew grew up steeped in Jewish tradition and commitment. Following college, he immersed himself in Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit division, serving as co-chair the Detroit division of the national Young Leadership Cabinet and chair of the EPIC event. In addition to his Federation initiatives, Andrew is a Board member at University of Michigan Hillel, and a trustee of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation — the first fourth-generation member of his family to join. A local real estate professional and lifelong sports enthusiast, Andrew and his wife Allie have four children.
Mandell and Madeleine Berman Award for Outstanding Professional Service:
Jonathan Lowe
Madge and Bill Berman, both of blessed memory, established this award in 1988 in an effort to acknowledge our professional partners and share their many accomplishments with our Detroit Jewish community. Over the years, recipients of the Berman Award have been individuals who demonstrate a passion for our Jewish traditions, a deep commitment to the community, and boundless energy for their chosen work. Most of all, they have made a deep impact on the organization and community they serve.
As Director of Planned Giving for the Jewish Federation of Detroit, Jonathan Lowe has spent thirty years building a career out of caring. His efforts have led to the establishment of essential programs across many organizations, including Tamarack Camps, the J, the Hillels on Campus, and JSL, directly benefiting thousands of individuals and families. One of his most notable achievements is the establishment of the Brown Center for Adult Day Care Services. Today and for many years to come, it will remain a testament to Jonathan’s ability to marshal both people and resources towards a common good. Jonathan is a valued friend and mentor to his many colleagues, a loving husband to his wife Beth, and a caring father to his sons.
To attend the Federation 2024 Awards night, please register at JewishDetroit.org/Awards.