Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Jewish National Fund will host the annual Tree of Life™ Award Gala at Congregation Ohev Shalom on Tuesday, Feb. 19, to honor Roz Fuchs and Thad Seymour, Jr. with Tree of Life™ Awards for their dedication to the Orlando community, JNF, and Israel. The annual gala, will begin at 6 p.m. and feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and dessert.

"Both Roz and Thad are incredible individuals and have done so much for the Orlando community," said JNF Orlando Board Co-President Ed Milgrim. "We are proud to honor them with The Tree of Life™ Award at our annual Gala."

The Tree of Life™ Award is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship, and devotion to the peace and security of human life.

Honoree Fuchs was born and raised in Orlando and she has been dedicated to the Jewish community throughout her adult life. A past president of the Hebrew Day School and Jewish Federation, she has also held leadership roles with AIPAC, Congregation Ohev Shalom, and Jewish Family Services. As founding chair and volunteer staff of the Jerome J. Bornstein Leadership Program, Fuchs mentored a generation of leaders in the area. She has received the Byron Selber Young Leadership Award, Harriet Ginsburg Woman of Choice Award, Israel Bonds Freedom Award, and the Heritage Human Service Award. An "idea person" with the skill and determination to carry them out, she most recently chaired the exhibition Kehillah: A History of Jewish Life in Greater Orlando.

"It is very special being honored by JNF," said Fuchs. "From purchasing land and planting trees to developing clean water solutions; from agricultural innovations to sponsoring Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic; from providing an outstanding Zionist learning experience at AMHSI to preserving Israel's modern history through the heritage sites projects; Jewish National Fund's vision and the number of lives touched and improved through the work of the organization is something we can all be very proud of."

Honoree Thad Seymour, Jr. serves as vice president for Partnerships and Chief Innovation Officer at UCF. Throughout his career, he has held senior executive roles with healthcare and technology companies. Seymour currently chairs the board of StarterStudio and is also an executive committee member of the Orlando Economic Partnership. He holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College, an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Seymour and his wife, Katie, have three grown children.

Thad Seymour, Jr.

"I have admired the work JNF has undertaken in supporting a strong, vibrant Israel over many decades, and a few years ago I had a chance to be part of a business development mission trip to Israel with Mayor Dyer and several other Central Florida leaders," said Seymour. "I came away inspired by the business startup culture I experienced, rooted in innovative thinking and disciplined execution. The nation's commitment to education, technology, and building for the future provides lessons,"

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit JNF's vital work in Israel, which is varied in scope, but singular in benefit: striving to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel's residents and translate these advancements to the world beyond.

Congregation Ohev Shalom is located at 613 Concourse Parkway South in Maitland. RSVP is required by Feb. 13, sponsorship information and tickets are available online at jnf.org/orlandotol.

For more information on this event or ways to get involved with JNF in Orlando, please contact Laura Abramson at labramson@jnf.org or 407-804-5568.