CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 15, 2021 — Cleveland residents Raquel and Michael Haas have been selected as the 2021 recipients of Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) prestigious Tree of Life™ Award for their exceptional contribution to the Jewish community and the land and people of Israel.
“Raquel and Michael Haas have partnered with Jewish National Fund-USA for a number of years. Their philanthropic investments have been vital in supporting critical environmental and nation building activities in Israel’s north and south. They are heavily involved in the Cleveland community and very in touch with their Judaism, so we wanted to honor them for all they do locally, nationally, and overseas,” said JNF-USA Director of Northern Ohio Mindy Feigenbaum.
The JNF-USA Tree of Life™ Award is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, professional leadership, and dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship with the devotion to peace and the security of human life.
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Raquel Haas co-chairs the Parent Leadership Council for the Basser Center. She is also a member of the Lion of Judah Society at the Jewish Federation, where she worked for more than seven years and was integral to the creation of their Corporate Sponsorship program. Michael Haas is the Global Co-Chair of Real Estate for Latham & Watkins. He also sat on the board of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation and was a member of the UJA National Young Leadership Cabinet and of Leadership Cleveland.
“We are both so honored to be the JNF-USA Tree of Life™ Award recipients this year,” said Raquel and Michael Haas. “The values that JNF-USA cherishes mirror our values. It is a big picture organization that has withstood the test of time. JNF-USA doesn’t just plant trees. It cares about people with special needs. It cares about providing water to all in Israel. It cares about houses and parks. It funds agricultural and scientific research. It directs grants to medical and trauma centers. JNF-USA cares about connecting the next generation of people to Israel and so do we. It is with these shared values that we eagerly align ourselves with JNF-USA’s mission. We couldn’t be more excited to know that there’s a little bit of love from Cleveland being sent to Israel via JNF-USA.”
The couple will be celebrated at a virtual award reception on June 8, 2021 at 8:00 pm ET. The spectacular ceremony will feature an intimate dialogue with Emmy-award winning actor, director, producer, and best-selling author Henry Winkler and Academy-award winning actress, producer, and activist Marlee Matlin.
“Michael and Raquel Haas — your Cleveland community salutes your leadership over the decades,” said Event Co-Chair Chuck Whitehill. “Jewish National Fund-USA honors your commitment to Israel and is proud to award you with the prestigious Tree of Life™ Award. Keep up the great work, the best is yet to come. Mazel Tov!”
Event details:
What: Cleveland Tree of Life™ Award Ceremony Honoring Raquel and Michael Haas
When: June 8, 2021 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Register at jnf.org/treeoflifecleveland
Questions about the event? Contact Mindy Feigenbaum, Director, Northern Ohio at mfeigenbaum@jnf.org or 216.292.8733 x790
Event Co-Chairs
Rebecca Bar-Shain
Bart Bookatz
Barry Feldman
Michael Jacobson
Chuck Whitehill
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
561.447.9733 x 875
About Jewish National Fund-USA
JNF-USA is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation building activities in Israel’s north and south. Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.