(Boston, MA) – The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) and the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations (MAJF) hosted their 18th Annual Legislative Reception at the Massachusetts State House (Great Hall) on Thursday, February 26 at 4:00 P.M. This year’s Legislative Reception was chaired by Nancy Kaplan Belsky & Samantha Joseph.
JCRC|MAJF honored Paul Bernon and the Ruderman Family Foundation for their visionary leadership on JCRC’s disability policy agenda and Senator Dan Wolf, Representative Joe Wagner and Rita Noonan from Senate President Stanley Rosenberg’s office.
“It is a privilege to partner with so many dedicated public servants,” said Jeremy Burton, Executive Director of JCRC. “This year’s honorees set the bar high with their steadfast commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive society.”
“I’m honored to be recognized by JCRC, and I look forward to our continued good work together on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities,” said honoree Paul Bernon.
“The Ruderman Family Foundation is honored to partner with JCRC in promoting creative programs, which successfully include people with disabilities in our community, to the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “The professionalism and progressive advocacy of JCRC is unparalleled and we are humbled that they have chosen to recognize our foundation’s leadership in advocating for the rights of people of all abilities.”
State Senator Daniel Wolf, recipient of a Legislative Achievement Award, added, “JCRC continues to inspire us all with their social justice efforts and advocacy around issues that have a lasting impact in our Commonwealth. I thank them for their continued guidance, and encouragement in my role as the Senate Chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, and I look forward to our continued partnership.”
“I am honored and I am grateful to JCRC for this recognition, and for all that they do on behalf of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations,” said State Representative Joseph Wagner. “They are a strong advocate for the Secure Jobs Program, and I am proud to say that my colleagues and I in the Legislature voted to fund that Program in last year’s budget.”
Rita Noonan of the office of Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and recipient of the Legislative Staff Achievement Award, added, “I am honored to be receiving this prestigious recognition. The Jewish Community Relations Council is an outstanding organization, with such high standards, that I am truly humbled.”
Honoree Bios
Senator Daniel A. Wolf, Cape & Islands
Senator Dan Wolf is a third-term Massachusetts State Senator representing the Cape and Islands District. Senator Wolf serves as the Chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. He is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Cape Air in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Representative Joseph F. Wagner, Eighth Hampden
State Representative Joseph F. Wagner was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1991 and has been a member of House leadership for more than a decade. Representative Wagner currently serves as House chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The committee reviews all legislation relating to state economic development policy and recommends bills to the full legislature.
Rita Noonan, Office of Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg
Rita is a trained paralegal and holds a Masters’ degree in public policy from UMass Boston. Rita joined Team Rosenberg in 2008 after many years working for former Senators Cheryl Jacques and Robert Antonioni. She welcomes all visitors to the office and manages Senator Rosenberg’s office needs and calendar. Rita will soon be starting her new role as Deputy Director of Civic Engagement.
Paul M. Bernon
Paul Bernon is Co-Founder and Principal of Burn Later Productions. Paul is involved in all aspects in the company’s investments, from identifying material through the sales and marketing of each film. Paul’s film “Results” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Pictures, and will be released in May of 2015. He serves as a Board Member for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and as an Overseer for WGBH, a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service, and the Boston Children’s Hospital. Paul is currently serving as Chair of JCRC’s Disability Advocacy Committee.
The Ruderman Family Foundation
The Ruderman Family Foundation believes that inclusion and understanding of all people is essential to a fair and flourishing community. Guided by their Jewish values, they support effective programs, innovative partnerships and a dynamic approach to philanthropy in their core areas of interest: advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the Jewish community; fostering a more nuanced understanding of the American Jewish community among Israeli leaders; and modeling the practice of strategic philanthropy worldwide. The Foundation provides funding, leadership, expertise and insight in both the U.S. and Israel, with offices in both countries.
