ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090022
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
Four Roanoke Valley residents were honored Wednesday night with the first humanitarians of the year awards from the newly independent Roanoke Regional Chapter of The National Conference - an organization formerly known as The National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Rabbi Jerome S. Fox, Pearl Fu, and Sydney and Rosalie Shaftman were honored for diverse contributions to the community at a dinner at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
Though the awards - which formerly were called brotherhood and sisterhood awards - have been given for several years, this is the first time that the Roanoke Region has been independent of the Virginia State Region, based in Richmond.
The establishment of an independent region "was undertaken to ensure that Western Virginia residents benefited more directly from efforts undertaken by the group," President Frank Van Balen said in a news release.
Funds raised at the dinner will be used to benefit projects such as "Anytown," a youth camp teaching understanding among races and religions. The National Conference, founded in 1927, is a nonprofit human-relations organization dedicated to promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures.
This year's Roanoke Valley humanitarians were recognized for spreading such understanding and respect.
Fox, a New York native, has been rabbi of Beth Israel Synagogue since 1983 when he came to Roanoke after serving congregations in West Virginia. He has served in leadership positions in such organizations as the Roanoke Area Ministries, Roanoke Valley Ministers' Conference, The National Conference, The CROP Walk Against Hunger steering committee, the Greater Carolinas Association of Rabbis, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
He is a frequent guest lecturer at Roanoke College and teaches classes in Hebrew. Fox often visits churches in the region to explain Jewish customs, traditions and philosophy, as well as conducting demonstration Passover Seders for Christian groups.
Fu has lived in Roanoke almost 10 years, in which time she has become a resource person for schools, clubs, businesses and the media on the subject of her native China. She is a free-lance consultant, writer, lecturer, tour guide and expert on authentic Chinese cuisine.
She also is involved with numerous arts and cultural organizations in the Roanoke Valley, including the Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke History Museum, Roanoke Chinese Association, Center in the Square, Festival in the Park and the annual "Local Colors" Celebration of Diversity.
Sydney and Rosalie Shaftman are well-known by a wide variety of community service and cultural organizations that have benefited from their generosity over many years.
Among those who have received their philanthropic support are the Bradley Free Clinic, Red Cross, United Way, Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Roanoke Symphony, Art Museum of Western Virginia, Opera Society, Explore Park, Jefferson Center, Temple Emanuel, Center in the Square, Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke College and North Cross School.
The guest speaker at this year's banquet was the organization's national president, Sanford Cloud. He is a lawyer and former Connecticut state senator.
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