With Charlotte Golden

Can we kvell!
Annie Leah Greene has been awarded a full fellowship from the University of Chicago’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilization Department for her Ph.D. in Middle Eastern history. She recently earned her master’s degree with distinction in Near and Middle Eastern studies from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Annie is the daughter of Mindy and Garry Greene.

Laura German participated in the European Maccabi Games in Vienna, Austria, July 5-13. She was heavily recruited to represent the USA Maccabi team as a field hockey player but was in Israel for previous summers and could not participate. This summer, she was one of 2,000 athletes from 38 countries to compete. The event marked the greatest number of Jews in Austria at one time since the horrors of the Shoah. Team USA received a bronze medal against elite club teams from Germany and the Netherlands. Laura played every minute of each game. Laura was cheered on by proud parents Teri and Dan German.

Did you know?
Ohio’s first Life is good Genuine Neighborhood Shoppe will open its doors at The Greene in September. The store will carry the entire Life is good range of products and will become the newest store in the portfolio of Dayton-based retailer Shops by Todd Inc., bringing the total number of stores for this locally-based company to 10. The owners are Todd and Jean Bettman. Jean said a factor that made this such an attractive venture for them is the Life is good Playmakers Foundation. Playmakers helps kids overcome life-threatening challenges. “In some little way, this is our way of giving back for all the good fortune we’ve had,” Todd added.

Mazel tov!
Marsha Froelich, executive director of Clothes That Work, has been named the Fundraising Professional of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Dayton Chapter. She’ll receive the award at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Nov. 15 at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.

Among this year’s National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award recipients is Dayton Daily News writer Meredith Moss Levinson. The awards ­— to be presented during NCCJ’s Annual Friendship Dinner on Oct. 24 at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center — honor individuals for their commitment to promoting understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures.

Matt Arnovitz will receive The Miami Valley School’s Alumni Service Award at the MVS Distinguished Alumni and Alumni Service Awards Dinner on Sept. 1 at The Moraine Country Club. Matt, a graduate of the class of ‘78, is a member of the MVS board and chairs its facilities committee.

Lisa Switkin, daughter of Shelly Switkin, former executive director of Dayton’s Jewish Family Service, was honored at a “red carpet” event by Good Housekeeping magazine, which featured her in its May issue as one of nine American women who are making a difference. Lisa, a 2007 recipient of the Rome prize, a yearlong fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, won the Shine On award as the visionary and lead designer of the New York City High Line, a formerly abandoned stretch of elevated train tracks, transformed into a world-class urban park. She is associate principal of James Corner Field Operations in New York.

Keren West has received an award for exceptional performance from NASA’s Office of the Inspector General. Her work is in the area of strategic planning and public policy. Prior to working for NASA, Keren worked for Homeland Security. And Microsoft has awarded Oren Kwiatek a coveted “gold star award” for his creativity and initiative in the development of a new software management code. He has since presented his solution at two IT conferences and to senior management. Oren is married to wife Keri and credits his entry into the IT world to Dorothy Lane Market, where he began his IT work. Keren and Oren, daughter and son of Candy and Dr. Kim Kwiatek, live in the Maryland area.

Carol Finley was inducted to the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame on Aug. 13 at the annual DayTony Awards. Carol has designed costumes and props for the Dayton Theatre Guild and Human Race Theatre Company; she’s been a stalwart Guild board member, volunteer and supporter.

Mel Weiss shot a 39 at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club in South Florida. “Not so bad for an 85½ -year-old,” boasts his proud daughter, Julie Kantor.

Send Schmooze items to: Charlotte Golden, CharFJ@aol.com