EVENT PROGRAM:
WELCOME, Marcy Schwartz, President, NCJW/CLE
PRESENTATION OF THE HAYMON-BLOOM EMERGING LEADERSHIP AWARDS
MOTZI + LUNCH
KEYNOTE + MODERATED CONVERSATION, Brandon Edwin Chrostowski
CLOSING REMARKS, Janice Hirshon + Allison Levine, Event Co-Chairs
AWARD RECIPIENTS BIOS:
Emily Metz
Emily Metz has been an active and dedicated member of NCJW/CLE, driven by a passion for social justice and hands-on community involvement. After hearing about the organization for years from friends, including Ann Markoff and Marilyn Goldfein, Emily knew NCJW/CLE would be the perfect fit when she had time to volunteer. Since joining, she has made a meaningful impact, co-chairing the Stop Human Trafficking initiative with Hazel Brown, participating in Reading Buddies, and contributing to Operation Warm Up, Homeless Stand Down, TLC, the Heart Pillow Project, and Designer Dress Days.
Originally from Maple Heights, Emily moved to Boardman at age 12 before attending The Ohio State University. After spending several years in Atlanta and Cincinnati, she and her husband, Howard, returned to Cleveland in 1991 to raise their family closer to home. They now reside in South Euclid. Emily has had a lifelong passion for early childhood education, working as a preschool teacher at the JCC on Mayfield Road and Atlanta, and later at the Cleveland Music Settlement, where she also served as an administrator.
Emily and Howard are proud parents of two sons, Matt and Adam, and the loving grandparents of three grandsons – Landon, Miles, and Mason. Beyond NCJW/CLE, Emily gives her time to several organizations, sewing vests for children undergoing epilepsy testing at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital through Women of Mishkan Or, sorting books at the Kids Book Bank, and preparing meals at the Cleveland Food Bank.
Emily’s commitment to NCJW/CLE will continue to grow as she recently accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors in June 2025. When reflecting on what she loves most about NCJW/CLE, she shares, “The women of NCJW are intelligent, dedicated, and caring individuals. I am proud to be a member of an organization that, together, stands for social justice and has an impact on so many.”
Debbie Perelman
Debbie Perelman joined NCJW/CLE at the encouragement of friends, looking to build a sense of community after moving to Cleveland during the COVID-19 pandemic. She quickly became engaged in the organization’s advocacy work and now serves as the co-chair of the Reproductive Rights Committee. Debbie has also participated in a variety of NCJW/CLE activities, including Book Club and Social Justice initiatives.
A Detroit native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from The Ohio State University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Debbie began her career as an attorney and lobbyist, practicing law for 16 years before transitioning into real estate as a broker. After living and raising her family in the northern suburbs of Chicago, she and her husband, Jeff, relocated to Bainbridge when he began working with the Cleveland Clinic.
Debbie and Jeff have three grown daughters, Julia, Jessica, and Jacqueline. In addition to her involvement with NCJW/CLE, she is deeply committed to child advocacy, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Geauga County, where she represents children’s best interests in court. She also serves as the Membership Director for The New Clevelanders Club, a nonprofit women’s social group for both long- and short-term residents of Cleveland’s eastern suburbs.
Reflecting on what she values most about NCJW/CLE, Debbie shares, “It is a wonderful community of bright, action-oriented women who can really make a difference when working together on so many important issues.”
Laura Tramer Lebovitz
Laura Tramer Lebovitz has been an active member of NCJW/CLE, dedicating her time and passion to making a tangible difference in the community. Inspired by her mother, Jen Tramer, a current board member and volunteer, Laura first joined NCJW/CLE through Share What You Wear, where she saw firsthand the impact of providing essential items to women, children, and families in need. She quickly became more involved, serving as a board member, co-chairing Operation Warm-Up, and participating in the Membership and Communications Committees.
A Cleveland native, Laura graduated from Beachwood High School before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. Laura began her career as a pediatric ER nurse in Chicago before returning to Cleveland, where she worked as an RN at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital while completing her master’s degree. After earning her MSN as a family nurse practitioner, she worked at University Hospitals’ Connor Integrative Health Network as an integrative health practitioner. She later transitioned into academia as a nursing professor at Ursuline College, where she continues to work per diem.
Laura and her husband, Jordan Lebovitz, reside in Moreland Hills with their two young sons, Jack and Charlie. In addition to her work with NCJW/CLE, Laura is involved with the Mandel Jewish Day School as part of the Mandel Parents Association and volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
Reflecting on what she loves most about NCJW/CLE, Laura shares, “I love that NCJW/CLE provides me with opportunities to make a difference in a tangible way. Not only do I get to see the impact of my efforts, but I get to work alongside incredible women who share the same passion and dedication for improving the lives of women, children, and families in need.”
