Shelly Gerson & Jeffrey Zipkin
Shelly Gerson and Jeff Zipkin are lifelong Zionists and passionate advocates for Jewish life, culture, and continuity. Both are longtime supporters of Jewish National Fund-USA, and Gerson is a member of the organization’s Ohio Valley Board of Directors. They also co-founded Friday Night Shabbat and the Jewish Camping program in the Cincinnati community together, and actively support Hadassah, Magen David Adom, and AIPAC.
Jewish National Fund‑USA invites you to The
TREE OF LIFE
®
AWARD GALA
Honoring
Shelly Gerson & Jeffrey Zipkin
DR. WILLIAM L. BARRETT
Tree of Life® Honorees
Shelly Gerson & Jeffrey Zipkin
DR. WILLIAM L. BARRETT
Tree of Life® Honorees
Featuring
SHAHAR AZANI
Veteran Israeli Diplomat
CEO, Book Family Foundation
Former Senior Vice President, Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS)
SHAHAR AZANI
Veteran Israeli Diplomat
CEO, Book Family Foundation
Former Senior Vice President, Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Cincinnati, OH
Address Provided One Week Prior to Event
Address Provided One Week Prior to Event
Ticket Pricing
General Admission • $360
JNFuture (ages 22-40) • $180
General Admission • $360
JNFuture (ages 22-40) • $180
RSVP Required
Dietary Laws Observed
More information:
Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, Ohio Valley
egoldstein.cinci@jnf.org • 513.794.1300 x780
Jennifer Bain, Campaign Executive, Ohio Valley
jbain@jnf.org • 513.794.1300 x781
Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, Ohio Valley
egoldstein.cinci@jnf.org • 513.794.1300 x780
Jennifer Bain, Campaign Executive, Ohio Valley
jbain@jnf.org • 513.794.1300 x781
Honoring
Dr. William L. Barrett
Dr. William L. Barrett is Professor and Chairman of the University of Cincinnati Department of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Director of the UC Barrett Cancer Center. A prominent figure in the local community, Dr. Barrett is a beloved friend of the Jewish community and an unwavering supporter of the Jewish people and land of Israel.
Dr. William L. Barrett is Professor and Chairman of the University of Cincinnati Department of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Director of the UC Barrett Cancer Center. A prominent figure in the local community, Dr. Barrett is a beloved friend of the Jewish community and an unwavering supporter of the Jewish people and land of Israel.
Featuring
Shahar Azani
Veteran Israeli Diplomat
CEO, Book Family Foundation
Former Senior Vice President, Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS)
As a veteran Israeli diplomat having served for over 16 years in Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Shahar will join us at this critical moment to share his perspective on current affairs in Israel and beyond.
Veteran Israeli Diplomat
CEO, Book Family Foundation
Former Senior Vice President, Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS)
As a veteran Israeli diplomat having served for over 16 years in Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Shahar will join us at this critical moment to share his perspective on current affairs in Israel and beyond.
CHAIRS
Alana Gerson-Levi & Ari Levi
Alana Gerson-Levi & Ari Levi
Dinner Committee
Rachel Gerson & Jacob Avraham • Elise Zipkin & Brian Mattes
Mollie & Jared Newman • Ariel & Dan Weiss • Molly & Derek Zipkin
Rachel Gerson & Jacob Avraham • Elise Zipkin & Brian Mattes
Mollie & Jared Newman • Ariel & Dan Weiss • Molly & Derek Zipkin
Jewish national fund-USA Leadership
Ronald S. Lauder, Chair Emeritus
Jeffrey E. Levine, Chair Emeritus
Dr. Sol Lizerbram, Chairperson of the Board
Deb Lust Zaluda, President
Russell F. Robinson, Chief Executive Officer
Rick Krosnick, Chief Development Officer
Ellen Spira Hattenbach, National Campaign Director, Midwest
Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, Ohio Valley
Jennifer Bain, Campaign Executive, Ohio Valley
Bill Adolph, Director, Planned Giving Midwest
Ronald S. Lauder, Chair Emeritus
Jeffrey E. Levine, Chair Emeritus
Dr. Sol Lizerbram, Chairperson of the Board
Deb Lust Zaluda, President
Russell F. Robinson, Chief Executive Officer
Rick Krosnick, Chief Development Officer
Ellen Spira Hattenbach, National Campaign Director, Midwest
Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, Ohio Valley
Jennifer Bain, Campaign Executive, Ohio Valley
Bill Adolph, Director, Planned Giving Midwest