Lynn Schwartz, a dedicated community leader who has served in many volunteer capacities in the Jewish community for decades, will receive the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s Neil November Distinguished Community Service Award at the Federation’s Annual Meeting on June 5 at the Faison Center, 5200 Fitzhugh Ave., Richmond.

The award, named in honor of Neil November, recognizes those volunteer(s) in our community who have and continue to exhibit a lifetime of outstanding service, leadership, and achievement in our community.

Sometimes the quietest people make the loudest impact. Born and raised in Richmond, she was inspired to become involved in the community from watching her father, Ed Becker. Lynn’s devotion to the Jewish Community and the secular community has left its mark in so many ways. Her attention to detail and the questions she raises are always for the betterment of whatever board or project she is working on.

Within the Jewish community, Lynn’s early volunteer work saw her chairing JWI (BBW) Gila chapter’s holiday gift wrap fundraiser at Regency Mall. For Sabra Hadassah, she served as Co-President (2004-2006) and as program chair of numerous Hadassah committees. She served as President of the Jewish Woman’s Club (2009-2011). Lynn has also served as President of 13 Class (2022-2024). More recently, she has served on the Board of Friendship Circle of Virginia and helped to  co-launch the Kirva Knitters.

At the Federation, she has served as an officer, executive committee member, chair or board member (Federation National Women’s Philanthropy Board, JCFR Women’s Philanthropy Cabinet, JCFR Board treasurer, Co-chair JCRC Mission to Washington, Women’s Jewish Network Chair) and much more.

Also, for the Federation, Lynn co-launched the Student Division (Youth Philanthropy Program) where she went to Sunday schools, Rudlin Torah Academy, Hillel and Jewish Student Union, to talk about Tzedakah and JCFR, and also volunteered in the Richmond Jewish Coalition for Literacy (RJCl) mentoring program.

The Weinstein JCC has benefited from her being on the board of directors for more than 25 years and as president from 2010-2012. Numerous programs for JCC include her being co-chair of the previous Capital Campaign; launching and co-chairing the Leadership Development Program that won a national award, and chairing or co-chairing other special JCC events. She currently serves as an Honorary Vice President and Secretary.

All this has not gone unnoticed, leading to her receiving many honors. Lynn received the JWI Sofie Stahl Memorial Award in 2024, the JCFR   L’dor V’dor Award (2017), the Center’s Bernstein Volunteer Leadership Award (2013, 2014), JCFR W. H. Schwarzschild Award (2013), the JCC President’s Award (2006, 2012, 2017), National Hadassah Leadership Award (2009), and Hadassah Presidential Award (2006).

Outside the Jewish community, Lynn has been very busy. She has served on several boards including Bon Secours Community Advisory Board and the Cadence Theater Company Board. She co-launched a program called “It’s All Art” bringing art to at-risk individuals in group settings (recently released incarcerated individuals, at-risk pregnant mothers, homeless individuals, etc).

Lynn still finds time for travel, knitting, family and loves being a grandmother to FIVE grandsons and a granddaughter!

To RSVP for the Annual Meeting, visit jewishrichmond.regfox.com/2025-annual-meeting