After a two-year delay due to the pandemic, Gila Chapter of Jewish Women International (JWI) is thrilled to again host the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award.
For 2022, JWI proudly announces Susan Adolf as the newest recipient. Originally created by The Day chapter of JWI (then B’nai B’rith Women) and the Stahl Family, the award honors a Jewish woman whose volunteerism demonstrates a life-long commitment to helping those in the Richmond metropolitan area.
Winners of this highly coveted honor (with few exceptions, given annually since 1963) are chosen by previous years’ recipients, and this year Susan will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Weinstein JCC.
According to her nomination letter, “Susan has always believed in contributing to others and making a difference in the lives of other[s]. Tikkun Olam, the practice for giving back to make the world a better place is not an option but a requirement.”
This, she started early – in high school – not just within the Jewish community (as an active member of the Jewish national high school sorority Iota Gamma Phi) but the entire greater Richmond area; working with integrity at Saxon Shoes as a salesperson, buyer, bookkeeper and doing all jobs related to running the business, of which she eventually became an owner.
It seems like there are few individuals whose lives have not been touched by Mrs. Adolf.
Life Member of JWI
A life member of JWI (BBW), Susie (as she is affectionately known by long-term friends), is a past president of Gila Chapter and has worked diligently as a member of the Advisory Board for the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.
She also has been a long-time member of Hadassah, having served as president of 2 different units (Sabra and the Richmond Chapter).
Other board positions Susan has held include those for the Beth Sholom Home, Weinstein JCC, Jewish Federation of Richmond, Rudlin Torah Academy, Jewish Women’s Club, Children’s Hospital Auxiliary of Richmond, and Dancing Classrooms of Richmond.
Additionally, she has served on various committees of different community organizations including as swim team director of Avalon Recreation Association, member of the Maccabi Games Executive Committee (2000, 2005, and 2010 games), The Jewish Community Classic Golf Tournament (21 years!), the Banks Endowment Fund (past 11 years).
In addition, Impact 100 of Richmond, Beth Sholom 50th Anniversary Picnic, and Jewish Community Federation of Richmond Women’s Campaign.
Among the numerous committees and programs at the JCC of which she has been chair are the JCC Youth Commission, Adult Committee, Israeli Showcase, 50th Anniversary on Monument Ave., Annual Social Dance, Women’s Jewish Network, and the 70th Anniversary of the JCC.
Not only has Susan been involved with her Synagogue, Congregation Beth Ahabah, but she has presented the Program for Youth to other Synagogues in order to raise Tzedakah monies for the less fortunate.
Members of Susan’s family are rightfully proud of her. Then again, so is much of Richmond!
Many Honors
Besides this Sofie Stahl Memorial Award, other awards and honors bestowed on her include the YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Year Award specifically for Volunteerism (2019), Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Award (2017), Lion of Judah Kipnes-Wilson / Friedland Award (2016), multiple JCC Presidents Awards (1996, 2009, 2012 and 2017), Rudlin Torah Academy Chesed Award (2010), and the JCC Esther, Edith and J.J. Bernstein Volunteer Leadership Award (2009).
To Be honored on May 15
She will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, May 15 (10:30 a.m.) at the Weinstein JCC. The public is invited to join JWI, previous Sofie Stahl recipients as well as Susan’s family and friends for the presentation of this well-deserved award.
Per person couvert for the brunch is $50. Pledge levels are Gold $75 and Platinum $125. To RSVP, checks (payable to JWI) should be mailed and received by May 6 to JWI, c/o Arlene Slutzah, 4907 Daffodil Circle, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
For more information contact Arlene at 804-747-0765 or arlene4907@gmail.com. Alternatively, you may contact Meryl Bernstein 804-360-3131 or mamameryl@verizon.net.
About JWI
Founded in 1897, JWI is the leading Jewish organization working to empower women and girls of every race, culture, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Through healthy relationship education, financial empowerment, and women’s leadership, JWI gives women the power to control their lives – and to create a world in which all may thrive.
As in past years, proceeds from the Sofie Stahl event support JWI’s National Library Initiative.
This program provides for a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, when the immediacy of danger often means leaving home with only her children and the clothes on their backs, and where JWI helps ease this traumatic upheaval by creating children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters – transforming basic spaces into comforting havens with colorful furniture and rugs, computers and toys, and hundreds of new books that represent the diversity of the women and children served.
For kids whose lives have been upended by violence, JWI libraries provide a safe place to relax, escape into a book, and keep up with homework when they’re most at risk of falling behind in school.
JWI’s goal is to complete 100 fully-furnished new libraries in shelters across the country, and continually restock the shelves of existing ones so that each child leaves the shelter with a favorite book in hand, ready to start a new life.
