The 2017 Temple B’nai Israel Susan and Barry Koh February Lecture Series, Visionaries and Their World Changing Visions, will introduce to the Temple B’nai Israel family and the Easton community four dynamic and visionary individuals who are changing the world in which we live for the better. Each of these extraordinary souls, motivated by individual circumstances and energized by personal experience, developed, organized and launched programs that speak directly to pressing societal needs and are responsive to the challenges and conditions of a complex and demanding world. Each of our presenters saw a void in the world around them. Through their vision, energy and indefatigable spirit they addressed those gaps and created a program that does indeed change the lives of those they touch, changing the world for the better.
February 1: Adam Green, Founder and Executive Director: Rocking the Boat
February 8: Laurie Strongin, Executive Director: Hope For Henry Foundation
February 15: Keasha Haythe, Executive Director, Foundation of HOPE
February 22: Judith Erger, Catalyst Sports Regional Director, Metro-DC Chapter
Adam Green started the volunteer project that would become Rocking the Boat in 1995 during a semester off from Vassar College. Influenced by his experience teaching kids about the Hudson River aboard the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, he developed a program that used the process of building and using wooden boats as a way to educate and empower young people from underserved communities. He has received numerous awards and accolades for Rocking the Boat, including an Echoing Green Fellowship, a Union Square Award for grassroots organizing, and a Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award. Most recently, he was named one of 25 international 2014 CNN Heroes.
Laurie Strongin is founder and executive director of the Washington, DC-based Hope for Henry Foundation. Laurie’s work with Hope for Henry and the memoir she published, “Saving Henry,” have placed her at the forefront of supporting the rights of patients and their families and the responsible use of new medical technologies. Laurie’s advocacy has led her to service on the nation’s preeminent science policy and bioethics panels – including her participation on the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine’s Commit-tee on Ethical and social Policy Considerations of Novel Techniques for Prevention of Maternal Transmission of Mitochodrial DNA Diseases. Her activism has produced op-eds in national newspapers, appearances on television and radio, collaborations with Congressional leadership, and recognition from the White House. An in-demand inspirational speaker, Laurie has been featured as a People magazine “Heroes Among Us” and was the subject of profiles in USA Today and The Washington Post.
Keasha Haythe, founding director of the Foundation of HOPE, is president and founder of Zoe Economic Development Group, LLC., an economic development consulting firm which she launched in March 2016. She provides business consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses and local governments. Keasha served as Dorchester County’s Economic Development Director, 2008-2016. Partnering with private and public stakeholders, she championed education, entrepreneurship and expansion of existing businesses as key economic drivers. She unveiled a countywide brand marketing campaign entitled “water moves us.” Ms. Haythe spearheaded the development of Dorchester County’s Technology Park and developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the first business incubator on the Eastern Shore, which opened on February 4, 2016.
Judith Erger helps people who are disabled climb to new heights, literally. Judith founded, organized and launched the Metro-DC chapter of Catalyst Sports (an Atlanta-based nonprofit) providing an adaptive rock climbing program for people with physical disabilities. In an area rich with rehabilitative facilities and adaptive recreational offerings, Judith recognized the need to include rock climbing as an accessible sport. Currently there are volunteer-run climbing events that boast climbers of ages 5–75. The adaptive climbing clinics are promoted by NRH; the Parkinson’s, Spina Bifida, Stroke Come-back and Muscular Dystrophy Foundations of DC; and the DOD Department of Warrior Care. Judith and Catalyst Sports received national recognition when this unique climbing program was featured on the CBS Evening News.
Judith’s professional career includes 20 years working in Jewish communal services, including being the Assistant Director of Synagogue Management for the URJ, and the Executive Director of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. Judith started rock climbing at age 60.
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