Local Honorees: UJA and Eagle Scouts

Karen and Edward Friedman Honored by UJA: Nearly 500 guests joined UJA-Federation of New York's Westchester Region as it honored Karen and Edward Friedman of Scarsdale and Ellen and Michael Brown of Purchase. During this event — Westchester Celebration 2013 — special tribute also was paid to Rabbi Lester Bronstein of Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains.

The celebration took place on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, where guests came together as a community to pay tribute to the honorees for their enduring leadership in the Westchester Jewish community and to support UJA-Federation and its network of nearly 100 local and global agencies. The event raised nearly $350,000.

"As Jews we are also called upon to do something. Being, yes, but also doing. Being, but also giving," said Rabbi Bronstein. "We like to say 'If not now, when.' The 'when' is rhetorical, you know. Yes, the answer is in our hands, but only for the briefest moment. The 'when' is now — and then it is past."

Scarsdale residents Karen and Edward Friedman are dedicated to helping Jews in need around the world, as well as finding ways to support the community at large. Karen Friedman serves on UJA-Federation's Executive Committee and Board of Directors and is chair of Women's Philanthropy. She also is a member of its Caring Commission Cabinet and the Commission on the Jewish People's Task Force on Engaging Interfaith Families. Previously, she was on the Nominating Committee for Officers and the Nominating Committee for Directors. In addition, Karen recently was appointed to the National Women's Philanthropy Board of Jewish Federations of North America. Edward Friedman is a founding partner of the law firm Friedman, Kaplan, Seiler & Adelman LLP, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale.

A treasured leader of the Westchester Jewish community, Rabbi Lester Bronstein of White Plains has served Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains as its religious leader since 1989. Currently Westchester's rabbinic chair of SYNERGY: UJA-Federation of New York and Synagogues Together, he is a past president of the Westchester Board of Rabbis and UJA-Federation's Westchester Rabbinic Roundtable. He has long engaged in interfaith work through the White Plains Religious Leaders Association and the Westchester Interfaith Clergy Network. A proud participant in the study circle of White Plains rabbis from four streams of Judaism, Rabbi Bronstein is a board member of Hillels of Westchester.

Eagle Scouts Named in Scarsdale: Scarsdale Boy Scouts Troop 2, based at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale recently conferred five of its boy scouts with the Eagle Scout badge. They include Anthony Carella, Keith and Kevin Hernandez, Casey Lutz and Michael Siciliano.

The boys are among a distinguished group of 158 boy scouts from across Westchester and Putnam counties to attain the rank of Eagle Scout this year.

They were also recognized June 5 by the Westchester-Putnam Council of the Boy Scouts of America during a special event held at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains.

Eagle Scouts must fulfill specific requirements before gaining the prestigious badge. To qualify they must earn a total of 21 merit badges, complete a service project, take on a number of leadership roles within their troops and complete additional requirements.