Jerry Tanenbaum, a Hot Springs resident and member of Congregation House of Israel, was honored in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, during the recent WUPJ international convention on May 14, when he retired as chair of the Yad B'Yad Task Force for Latin American Jewry.
Rabbi Richard Chapin said the Congregation "has always been proud of Tanenbaum's accomplishments in the Jewish world, both domestically and internationally."
During the Tanenbaum era, Yad B'Yad facilitated the flowering of the Latin American community through missions, fundraising and strategic planning.
With the help of Yad B'Yad, the WUPJ-Latin America region has been able to send emerging leaders to the Saltz Center in Jerusalem for training. In addition, Yad B'Yad has provided the means for cantors to establish the La Shir B'Nefesh cantorial chorale, which travels throughout Latin America, performing Jewish music.
Other highlights of Tanenbaum's tenure include the beginning of the translation of the Plaut Torah Commentary into Portuguese; the hiring of a full-time executive director for the region and working with Fundacion Judaica and the Association Israelita de Pampas in Argentina to expand the WUPJ's impact in the Argentinean Jewish community, as well as work in Chile, Northern South America, and the Union of Jewish Congregations of Latin American and the Caribbean.
Tanenbaum has chaired Yad B'Yad since its inception, and has supported and led the task force for more than a decade. He also served as the chairman of the North American Board of the World Union.
During the tribute, World Union President Rabbi Danny Freelander, praised Tanenbaum for his lifetime of devoted service to the World Union and announced that the Yad B'Yad Fund will officially be changed to the Jerry and Pat Tanenbaum Yad B'Yad Fund for Latin America.
The celebration included tributes from long-time friends and associates, musical performances by Latin American cantors and a special tribute in song by Tanenbaum's grandson, Adam Tanenbaum.
Religion on 06/20/2015