2018 Recipient: Winnie Sandler Grinspoon
Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, President of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and creator of PJ Library, is honored with the 2018 Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence.
The Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University is pleased to announce that Winnie Sandler Grinspoon is the 2018 recipient of the Bernard Reisman Professional Excellence Award.
Established by the Hornstein Alumni Association and friends and colleagues of Bernard Reisman, this award is presented each year at the Hornstein commencement ceremony to a professional who "has demonstrated innovative work and significant leadership… as well as a commitment to the standards of excellence, Jewish commitment and sensitivity to others as reflected by Bernard Reisman in his work."
Winnie Grinspoon serves as president of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), the creator of PJ Library® and its sister company, Sifriyat Pijama, a successful and well-loved program that distributes free Jewish-themed books, music and resources every month to more than half a million Jewish children around the world in its mission to foster Jewish literacy. In addition to PJ Library, HGF's programs include JCamp 180™, Life & Legacy™, Voices & Vision, and others that encourage engagement in the Jewish community and foster philanthropy.
Winnie has been honored by Hebrew College and JCC of Greater Boston for her leadership in the Boston Jewish community, and in 2017, was named to the 'Forward 50' as a top Jewish American influencer in the annual list of The Forward’s "50 most influential, accomplished and interesting American Jews."
"Winnie's work embodies the vision, creativity and sustained dedication that distinguished the Hornstein Program's long-term director, Bernard Reisman, says the chair of the Hornstein Program, Prof. Jonathan D. Sarna. "She exemplifies the growing power of women in Jewish professional life, and also shows how careful succession planning can sustain Jewish family foundations over multiple generations."
Winnie presented the keynote address at the Hornstein Class of 2018 commencement on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Congratulations to Winnie for her service to the Jewish community.