Today, five outstanding professionals who have made exceptional contributions to the Jewish world will receive the first-ever Grinspoon Amber Awards at the annual Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly. The Awards honor professionals whose leadership and dedication have strengthened Jewish life in meaningful and enduring ways, celebrating individuals whose work shapes and uplifts the Jewish community. The inaugural Awards, first announced at the 2024 General Assembly, reflect both organizations’ shared commitment to celebrating and supporting the professionals who sustain Jewish communal life.
Each 2025 Grinspoon Amber Awards recipient will receive a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to “pay it forward” by selecting two individuals they know whose work shapes Jewish life to receive Peer Recognition Grants of $2,500 each. This distinctive feature is intended to foster a ripple effect of gratitude, mentorship and shared celebration across the Jewish communal field.
“We’re delighted to celebrate and honor each Grinspoon Amber Award winner for their outstanding contributions,” said Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, president of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. “Their leadership strengthens our communities, their dedication uplifts others and their work inspires a new generation to find meaning and connection in Jewish life.”
“Jewish communal professionals are the backbone of our community—they build bridges, nurture connections and ensure that Jewish life continues to thrive,” said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America. “The Grinspoon Amber Awards highlight the extraordinary impact of these individuals, and we are delighted to partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in supporting and elevating Jewish professionals.”
The 2025 Grinspoon Amber Awards honorees are:
- Rabbi Ana Bonnheim, founding executive director, Jewish Learning Collaborative (Charlotte, N.C.)
- Jeremy Burton, CEO, JCRC Boston (Boston, Mass.)
- Jonathan Falk, vice president, Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program, Hillel International (Denver, Colo.)
- Elana Frank, founder and CEO, Jewish Fertility Foundation (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Michelle Koplan, chief executive officer, BB360 (Portland, Ore.)
This annual awards program was created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to recognize and celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to Jewish communal life. The program reflects founder Harold Grinspoon’s lifelong belief that strong, inspired professionals are vital to a vibrant Jewish future.
Know someone who’s making an outstanding contribution to Jewish communal life? Nominations for the 2026 Grinspoon Amber Awards will open on Jan. 1, 2026 and extend through the end of February. Eligible nominees will then be invited to apply. For details on eligibility and the nomination process, visit www.amberawards.org or email amberawards@hgf.org.
