JTS to Honor Midwest Leaders at Awards Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Nina Jacobson
Office: (212) 678-8950
Email: nijacobson@jtsa.edu

May 27, 2009, Chicago, IL

Community leaders Hazzan Larry B. Goller, Dr. Rhoda S. Pomerantz, and Michael H. Zaransky will be honored at The Jewish Theological Seminary's Midwest Annual Awards Event on Thursday, June 18. The festive program will begin with the awards ceremony at 5:00 p.m. followed by a reception at 6:00 p.m., and be held at the Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago. Rabbi Marc Wolf, vice chancellor and chief development officer of JTS, will be the guest speaker.

Hazzan Goller will receive the Hazzan Putterman Cantorial Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have served ten or more years in the cantorate, leading Israel in prayer and inspiring devotion to God and love of Torah. Hazzan at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Hazzan Goller graduated from the Cantors Institute (now known as the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music) of JTS in 1995, where he received a diploma in Hazzanut and master's degree in sacred music. He also earned a master's degree from the Department of Education of JTS (now known as the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education). Prior to "hearing his call" to the cantorate, Hazzan Goller worked in the corporate world as a computer analyst, serving in his last position as assistant vice president at Prudential Securities on Wall Street. He was also active in UJA-Federation of New York and served as associate chair of the Leadership Development Division. President of the Midwest Region of the Cantors Assembly, Hazzan Goller is "hazzan-in-residence" at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and has three daughters, Amalia, Davida, and Julia.

Dr. Rhoda S. Pomerantz, chief of staff of Geriatric Medicine at Saint Joseph Hospital and Health Care Center, will be presented with the Eternal Light Award, conferred on individuals whose lives illuminate the teachings and the ways of righteousness and whose efforts advance and strengthen the community, nation and the house of Israel. A pioneer in the study and practice of geriatric medicine, she has held numerous teaching and clinical appointments in addition to being widely published. In 1992, she received the Clinician of the Year Award by the American Geriatrics Society as well as Outstanding Geriatric Clinician by the Illinois Geriatric Society. Dr. Pomerantz, who is involved in many local Jewish organizations, is a past board president and current member of the board of trustees of Anshe Emet Synagogue. Together with her husband, Dr. Irwin Feinberg, Dr. Pomerantz has cofounded several charitable funds to which they donate their time and volunteer support. She is the mother of two children and stepmother of five children.

The Shin Award, which is being presented to Michael H. Zaransky, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to Judaism through service to their community, synagogue, and JTS. Mr. Zaransky is the co-chief executive officer of Prime Property Investors, Ltd., which concentrates on investment property acquisition with an emphasis on student housing multifamily projects nationwide. The firm has been recognized by Inc. magazine for inclusion on the Inc. list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America.

A member of numerous professional organizations, Mr. Zaransky is a James Scholar graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University School of Law, and the author of Profit by Investing in Student Housing. In addition to membership in numerous professional organizations, Mr. Zaransky is a member of the boards of several local philanthropic organizations, including the Jewish United Fund (JUF), and is active in numerous trade and civic associations. He is a member of Nachshon, a Chicago-based men's group that supports Israel and Jews around the world, and the former president of Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook. He and his wife have two children.

The couvert is $250 (all but $150 is tax deductible as provided by law) per person; the clergy rate is $125. Reservations are required by June 11. Further information and reservations are available by contacting Tal Selinger at (312) 606-9086.

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