Awards presented

The Sidney Albert Community Service Award was presented to Neil Golub. The award, established in 1991 to honor the memory of philanthropist and community leader Sidney Albert, recognizes leaders within the Jewish community who have demonstrated a lifetime of Jewish community involvement. Neil Golub is a longtime supermarket executive, philanthropist, and community leader whose influence has shaped the Capital Region for more than half a century. Over a career spanning decades, he worked his way through nearly every role in the Golub Corporation and Price Chopper/Market 32 Supermarkets — from bagger to president, CEO, and ultimately executive chairman. His leadership helped transform the company into one of the region’s most significant employers and a model for community-minded corporate citizenship, according to Federation program organizers.

Golub is equally recognized for his extensive philanthropy and nonprofit leadership throughout the Capital Region, much of which he shared with his late wife, Jane. Together, they championed initiatives in healthcare, education, the arts, and social services, strengthening institutions that continue to anchor and uplift the region. Their commitment to community well-being has provided long-term investments in organizations that serve families, seniors, and vulnerable populations.

A central part of Golub’s public life is his involvement in the Jewish community. He has been a major supporter and past leader within the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, championing annual, capital, and emergency campaigns, and supporting ongoing efforts in community relations, young adult engagement, college outreach, and most recently the new Educate to Empower program. He is an advocate for Holocaust education, and a consistent backer of congregations, Jewish community centers, and social service organizations across the region. His work often bridges Jewish communal life with broader civic engagement, emphasizing inclusion, education, and community responsibility.

Mindy Holland, left, with Samuel Booth Leadership Award recipient Sophie Panzer.

Sophie Panzer was the recipient of the Samuel Booth Leadership Award, presented annually to a young person who has demonstrated commitment and support of the Jewish community. The award comes with a stipend to be used for the purpose of subsidizing young leaders to participate in programs that will help them develop leadership skills and exposure to the issues and problems of the Jewish community. Sophie is passionate about creating inclusive programming that celebrates the diversity and resilience of the Jewish community. She serves on the cabinet of the Federation’s Young Adult Division (YAD), where she helps plan holiday celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events. She is also a member of Congregation Beth Emeth. Last year, she launched the People of the Books chavurah. She started this group to help her peers bond over Jewish literature and to support Jewish authors facing anti-Semitic boycotts in the publishing industry. Her writing on Jewish topics has appeared in JTA, The Forward, Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, Washington Jewish Week and other outlets. Her debut novel is “Son of Sasha.”

Mindy Holland, right, presents a President’s Award to Phyllis A. Wang.

JFNENY board chairwoman Mindy Holland also presented a President’s Award in recognition of service to JFNENY and the Jewish community to Phyllis A. Wang, past JFNENY board chairwoman, noting her steadfast commitment to the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and to Jewish organizations across the region and throughout the country.

Mindy Holland, left, with Myrtle F. Berman Award recipient Hannah Gordon.

Hannah Gordon was the recipient of the Myrtle F. Berman Award, presented to an outstanding young woman, active in Federation, who has demonstrated leadership qualities. This award includes a stipend to assist the recipient in attending an appropriate conference or mission. Gordon is a cabinet member of the Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division (YAD) and an incoming member of the board of directors. She has been active in organizing and participating in YAD events, including Mimouna, Comedy for a Cause, Pride Shabbat, and trivia nights. She is an avid reader and member of the People of the Books chavurah, as well as a member of Temple Israel. She is dedicated to the principles of tikkun olam. She works as the managing attorney of the agricultural worker project at the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, representing indigent farm workers with employment and housing problems. She previously worked as a staff attorney at the American Bar Association in Harlingen, Texas, defending detained immigrant children in deportation proceedings.

“We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated and talented leaders in our community to help provide for the Jewish community,” said JFNENY President and CEO Rob Kovach. “We are all excited to see our community go from strength to strength.”