This column is dedicated to events, recognitions and other items of interest involving our Temple Jeremiah congregants. If you have received an honor, are participating in a special event or involved in a project of noteworthy interest, please submit your news item to Renee Goldstein and we will publish it in this column.

Joel Africk was the subject of a feature article in the May 2010 edition of Chicago Lawyer. The article talks about Joel's decision to leave a successful 20-year career as a litigator to become president and CEO of the Respiratory Health Association of Greater Metropolitan Chicago, formerly known as the American Lung Association.

Jason Brown, son of Marla and Steve Brown, grandson of Norma and Bill Brown and nephew of Gayle Malvin and Randi and Charles Gurian, won the gold medal at the junior level at the 2010 U.S. Men's Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington in January 2010. Jason earned 133.12 points in his free style and 195.22 points overall, the second-highest junior men's score ever recorded at the championships.

Performing to selections from The Nutcracker, Jason performed a double Axel, triple Lutz and triple toe combination, followed by five other triples as well as a double Axel sequence. His performance caps off numerous other achievements in the sport. Jason won the gold medal in the juniors at the age of 11, the silver medal at the intermediate level and the bronze medal at the senior novice level.

Drew Davis, son of Beth Chibnik and stepson of Eric Chibnik, received an award from the Optimist Club of Deerfield for displaying exemplary service to the community by volunteering his time for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. He was nominated by Dale Fisher, the principal of Caruso Middle School. In 2008 Drew was chosen as a member of the Youth Crew for the Avon Walk in Chicago and raised $1,076. He was chosen again to be part of the Youth Crew in 2009 and 2010. Commenting on his experience at the 2010 Walk, Drew said, "I will never forget this weekend. Every single walk, crew member, volunteer and staff member have made a huge impact in my life."

Nathan Frankl, son of Annilise Flanagan-Frankl and Ernie Frankl, wrote, directed, edited ad produced a public service video as part of an awareness campaign to raise funds for the Invisible Children through his high school's Amnesty International Club. $1200 in funds was raised during the school's Variety Show.

Ben Gitles, son of Karen Gitles, was one of ten recipients of the 2010 Jewish Federation Teen Leadership Award. Ben was selected from a group of outstanding, dedicated high school juniors nominated by lay leaders, clergy and professionals for their involvement in activities, their leadership roles and their ability to serve as role models for their peers. Each recipient will receive a $1000 college scholarship. In addition, during the academic year, the students will participate in a mini-mission to learn more about the Jewish community, meet with community lay and professional leaders and form a Teen Leadership Committee that will plan community-wide events and serve as ambassadors to the Jewish teen community in their high schools, congregations and beyond.

Ben has also been elected vice-president of GMR AZA, the Great Midwest Region of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization.

Jonathan Goorvich, son of Linda and Michael Goorvich, won Best Short for his film, "Missing Pieces," at the Santa Fe Film Festival.

Charlie Gordon, son of Julie and Alex Gordon and grandson of Sue and Joel Kaufmann, received the Robert Barnard Character Counts Pillar Award from the city of Highland Park. The award goes to people who exemplify the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Ari Hart, grandson of Marcia Hart and a student at Yeshiva Chovevei Torah, has launched Or Tzedek, an immersion program for teenage future social justice leaders. With the help of a grant from the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), Ari has taken Jewish children from the suburbs and helped them learn to create social change in their own backyards. His social advocacy efforts were recently acknowledged in the Jewish Week's "36 Under 36" column. Ari is receiving the "Voice of the Future" award from the JCUA.

Mira Hart, granddaughter of Marcia Hart, has completed her first year of medical school at Northwestern University.

Aron Hiltzik, son of Arlyn Stern-Hiltzik and David Hiltzik, is 4th in the nation for 12 year old tennis. Aron just finished in the semi-finals in the boy's tournament in El Paso, Texas on February 17. is 7th in the nation for boy's 14 year old tennis.

Jeffrey Kahn, grandson of Minnie and Charles Morton, completed three years of education at the London School of Economics with honors and will graduate from Tufts University.

Sammy Kessler, daughter of Paula and Don Kessler, was a member of the USA softball team at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel. The team won all nine of its games to capture the Gold Medal. Sammy pitched games against Argentina and Israel, winning 13-6 and 12-2 respectively.

Jared Hiltzik, son of Arlyn Stern-Hiltzik and David Hiltzik, is 7th in the nation for boy's 14 year old tennis.

Betsy Kaplan, daughter of Denise and Joel Kaplan, was honored by the Mental Health Association of the North Shore (MHANS) for her commitment to dispelling the stigma around mental health. Erika's Lighthouse nominated Betsy for her hard work and efforts to reach out to the community through Bark 4 Care. She is the youngest recipient ever honored by the MHANS.

Douglas Kaplan, M.D., a general ophthalmologist practicing in Highland Park, was elected President of the Lake County Medical Society for 2009.

Zak Kaplan, grandson of Marilyn and Yale Kaplan, began college life at Yale University.

Emily Machado, daughter of Leslie and Emilio Machado, graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Social Policy and is a member of the Teach for America Corps for the next two years in the Washington, D.C. public school system.

Daniel Milsk, son of Barbara and David Milsk, was featured in the Tribune as part of the Chicago Model City project sponsored the Chicago Architecture Foundation. The model, built by Columbian Model and Exhibit Works, was on display in the lobby of the Sante Fe Building, 224 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

Rachael Milsk, daughter of Barbara and David Milsk, graduated from the University of Illinois and is a member of the Teach for America Corps for the next two years in the Washington, D.C. public school system.

Jordan Sacks, son of Shari and Jeff Sacks, won the Freshman Central Suburban League (CSL) diving championship, setting a conference record in one-meter springboard diving and a New Trier record for 11 dives. Jordan has been named to the All American Team for Diving.

Maddy Sacks, daughter of Mora and Jerry Sacks, was selected to represent her school at the 2010 Tech Conference in Springfield where she met with her State Senator and State Representative and Governor Pat Quinn.

Julie Sarne, daughter of Nancy and David Sarne, and her family participated in the Hands of Peace program, which brings together American, Israeli and Palestinian teens to learn, discuss and participate in social activities.

Haley Tuchman, daughter of Deb Dreyfuss-Tuchman and Jeremy Tuchman, (9th grade) placed fourth in Illinois and 8th in the United States in debate competition.

Alex Turner, son of Christina and David Turner, collected for the organization, Rock for Reading, as part of his Bar Mitzvah project.

Michael Wildeboer, son of Pam and Bill Wildeboer, has been working along with his parents, and sisters Jennifer and Samantha, on repainting the Northbrook Nurses Lending Closet and reconditioning the equipment there as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Justin Ziemba, son of Ila and Thomas Ziemba, recently graduated from medical school. He will do his residency in Pennsylvania, specializing in urology.

Doran Zimmerman, son of Laura and Bruce Zimmerman, was approved for the rank of Eagle Scout after successfully completing sessions with the council board of review team. It was a long road but well worth it. Doran and Bruce are pictured on the left.