1) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?

Nina's commitment to Israel and the Jewish community is both impressive and long-standing. From living on a kibbutz and engaging in research at the Hadassah WIZO Institute to co-founding the Washington DC chapter of Friends of the IDF and serving on the board of Jewish National Fund, she is dedicated and tireless in her engagement and advocacy. Since 2019, Nina has served as the Chair of the Israel Committee at Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota, leading the congregation's largest committee in planning educational, cultural, political, and scientific programs centered on the Jewish State.

After October 7, 2023, Nina continued her leadership and advocacy - but she did so in a way that helped to bring Temple Emanu-El and the Sarasota Jewish community together. She was a leader of Project Amichai, which engaged over 350 Temple Emanu-El members in supporting Israel and one another through a variety of initiatives, welcoming participants regardless of their political affiliation. She trained community members in advocating for Israel and against antisemitism, assembling a team that included Trump supporters, conservative Republicans, progressives active in elevating liberal and young voices in local school board and political issues, a former judge who took a key role in the legalization of same-sex marriage, and politically-unaffiliated people of all ages. Each person was not only treated with equal respect and regard by Nina - but she also created a culture in which everyone worked together with camaraderie and shared purpose.

In a society frequently riven by political divisions - even in the Jewish community - Nina is a beacon and an exemplar.

2) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?

Nina was new to Temple Emanu-El leadership when she assumed chairpersonship of the Israel Committee, and her predecessor was a well-known and well-liked rabbi in the community. Within the first year, however, Nina was not only welcoming new members to the Israel Committee but was also mobilizing long-time members in planning and taking ownership of programs.

There is no "litmus test" for involvement in the Israel Committee under Nina's leadership, and her programming has featured discussions with speakers identified as more right-wing, intergenerational events centering on art as a tool for peacebuilding, and everything in between.

As a direct result of Nina and her wise and inclusive leadership, the Israel Committee and Temple Emanu-El in general continues to weather these challenging days with unity and goodwill towards one another.

3) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?

 In addition to the general work described above, here are a few specific impacts that highlight Nina's achievements:

1. Nina worked with a mother in our religious school who was very upset by the post-October 7 anti-Israel and antisemitic activity on the campus of her university alma mater. Through Nina's training, support, and advocacy, the young mother was able to reach out to the administration, engage in a fruitful discussion, and work towards resolution of the issue.

2. When a retired attorney in the congregation expressed interest in using his professional expertise in helping to fight antisemitism, Nina met with him extensively and used her connections to connect him with Shurat HaDin. The resulting partnership has been impactful and educational for Shurat HaDin and for Temple Emanu-El.

3. Nina's leadership of the Israel Committee was an extremely important catalyst for a grant of $208,000 given to Temple Emanu-El to enhance Israel programming. The resulting events are open to the entire community and have helped Temple Emanu-El to become a leader in Israel education and advocacy on the West Coast of Florida.