LEE APPLE, ARLINE PRITCHER AWARD WINNER

Lee Apple serves as co-chair of Building Bridges with Books, and is an incoming NCJW/CLE board member. Lee originally joined NCJW after her retirement to “find new things to do and meet new people.” Since then, she has been an active volunteer for Share What You Wear and the Heart Pillow project, and a constant presence at Book Club and the Art Museum series. A Cleveland native, now living in Shaker Heights, Lee worked at University Hospitals for many years, as a an x-ray technologist and supervisor. She later worked as a physician liaison, assisting physicians in the community access services of hospital specialists for their patients. What Lee likes best about NCJW/CLE is that is has given her “a place to volunteer on projects that are so meaningful to me, among like-minded women, and my husband.” Lee and her husband Chuck (the other Arline Pritcher Award winner) are the proud parents of Beth Mellors (Ben), Susan Banchek, Amanda Banchek, Kevin Apple (Shelby), Steve Apple (Jaye).  They also have seven grandchildren: Jonah Mellors, Ari Mellors, Eli Slepian, Ben Apple, Rachel Apple, Kyle Apple, and Kaila Apple.

CHUCK APPLE, ARLINE PRITCHER AWARD WINNER

Chuck Apple initially joined NCJW/CLE as a supporter of the issues they advocate on, including abortion rights and reducing gun violence. But he really got engaged at the behest of his wife, Lee, the co-recipient of this year’s Arline Pritcher award. As Chuck explains, “I started helping Lee with the Little Free Library project. I then met Heather Schlang and she explained the SWYW program and the need for a delivery person. I thought it was a necessary and worthwhile project and I started delivering the bags of clothes throughout Cleveland.” It was a good match for his interests. Professionally, after graduating from Case Western University, Chuck worked as Manufacturer Representative selling plumbing supplies to wholesalers throughout Ohio. In his volunteer life, he has served meals with Park Synagogue at an inner-city church, worked with JFSA on their Home Delivery Meals, and worked at Heights Emergency Food Center unloading the truck and as treasurer. What he likes most about NCJW/Cle is that it “keeps me busy with an activity that fulfills a need in our community. It opened my eyes to a need that I didn’t even know existed.” Chuck and Lee are the proud parents of  Beth Mellors (Ben), Susan Banchek, Amanda Banchek, Kevin Apple (Shelby), Steve Apple (Jaye).  They also have seven grandchildren: Jonah Mellors, Ari Mellors, Eli Slepian, Ben Apple, Rachel Apple, Kyle Apple, and Kaila Apple.

SARA BARKIN, THRIFTIQUE AWARD WINNER

Sara Barkin has been a member of NCJW/CLE since 2009. She has served as the Hospitality Chair for Designer Dress Days, and is a steadfast volunteer at Thriftique, where – as Thriftique manager, Abbe Froimson says,  she has shown herself to be “extremely, dependable, reliable and knowledgeable.” Sara graduated from The Ohio State University with a BFA in Art History.  Sara has held numerous jobs in her life, from medical claims examiner, to restaurant owner to demo person at Trader Joes. She joined NCJW/CLE initially because she “really liked what it represented.” Sara and her husband Elliott are the proud parents of Stacy Anthony and Kari Marks, and grandparents of Reagan Anthony, Joshua Anthony, and Ezra Marks.  What Sara loves most about NCJW is its values of “strong women, powerful voices.”

BETH MILSTEIN, ALICE AND EUGENE WEISS AWARD WINNER  

Beth Milstein serves as co-Vice President of Retail Operations and instrumental at planning and executing Designer Dress Days. A member of NCJW/CLE since 2014, she has served on the NCJW/CLE Board of Directors, the Leadership Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, was a co-chair for the Women’s Seder, Volunteer Recognition event and the Opening Meeting featuring author Liz Murray, in addition to co-chairing this year’s Annual Meeting. Beth was the deserving recipient of the 2019 Emerging Leader Award. A graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Business, Beth previously worked in commercial real estate and owned a small business. Beth and her husband, Mark, have three children Jacob, Holden and Cami.