National Association Honors Local Leader and Philanthropist
ATLANTA, GA (February 26, 2024) Longtime Jewish HomeLife lay leader, volunteer and advocate Candy Berman won the Trustee of the Year Award from the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS.) AJAS represents more than one hundred Jewish-sponsored, not for profit senior care organizations in the United States, Canada, Israel, and Australia. Jewish HomeLife has been a member organization of AJAS since its inception. The organization presented the award during their Annual Convention, held in La Jolla, CA this week.
An Atlanta-based philanthropist and owner/principal of Candy Berman & Associates, Candy’s involvement in Jewish HomeLife spans more than two decades. During her time with the organization, Candy has shown transformational leadership, unparalleled commitment, and made remarkable contributions to the mission of Jewish HomeLife. She currently serves as Board Vice Chair of Jewish HomeLife and will assume the role of Board Chair in July 2024.
The Trustee of the Year award is given annually to an outstanding Board Member or Trustee from an AJAS member organization who, according to the organization, has “demonstrated a significant contribution by enriching the lives and well-being of Jewish elderly, displayed a personal commitment to the life of the organization and provided outstanding leadership to the organization and the community at large.”
“Candy’s unwavering dedication to the residents and staff of Jewish HomeLife, boundless leadership, and philanthropic endeavors make her an exceptional candidate for this esteemed recognition,” said Jewish HomeLife President & CEO Jeffrey A. Gopen. “She’s been a beacon of inspiration and support from senior leadership to the day-to-day care team, consistently enriching the lives of our residents and our entire organization. Her dedication to our mission of honoring our fathers and mothers is exemplified by her remarkable contributions, spanning leadership, philanthropy, and a tireless pursuit of innovation in the senior care industry.”
Candy’s dedication to community service is not confined to Jewish HomeLife. In addition to a successful career as Principal of her own events management and consulting firm, Candy has provided lay leadership, guidance, and passionate support to organizations that promote diversity and align with both Jewish and secular causes, including:
- President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Jewish Committee Atlanta and chair of their Leadership Atlanta Class of 2004.
- Board Member for the International Women’s Forum Georgia
- Chair of Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
- Chair of the United Way’s Foundation Campaign Division
- Chair of YWCA’s Salute to Women of Achievement.
This award marks Candy’s first time being honored nationally for her work within the senior care industry.