A lifetime of dedication to the Jewish future will be celebrated at this year’s Ben Zakkai Honor Society’s NCSY National Scholarship Reception in New York on Sunday, February 8, as the Jewish community honors the achievements of Fran and David Woolf of Toronto and inaugurates a scholarship fund in their name.
NCSY is the international youth movement of the Orthodox Union. Every day, countless Jewish teens connect to their heritage through NCSY’s innovative programs. NCSY Canada’s work would not be possible without the help of Fran and David Woolf. For more than four decades, Fran and David have been stalwart supporters of NCSY and helped guide the movement from its infancy to the worldwide network of inspiration it is today.
Rabbi Glenn Black, CEO of NCSY Canada, described Fran and David as pioneers in the kiruv (outreach) movement.
“Over the course of 45 years Fran and David have given so much to NCSY and other community organizations and individuals,” Rabbi Black stated. “In all walks of life, they have clearly demonstrated their devotion to traditional Jewish values and they stand as exceptional role models to our young people.”
In addition to the scholarship fund, the couple will receive the prestigious Enid and Harold H. Boxer Memorial Award, named after the founders of NCSY.
Dr. David Luchins, who together with his wife Vivian are the Dinner Chairs, explained: “The vitality and success of NCSY Canada is largely a tribute to the devotion and dedication and passion that Fran and David Woolf bring to every aspect of their personal and communal life.”
Born in the Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons Camp after the Holocaust, Fran is the child of survivors Majlech and Regina Good z”l. Fran attended Associated Hebrew Schools and The Anne and Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (CHAT). She graduated from Teacher’s College with a specialty in art and taught in the Windsor Public School system and at Talmud Torah at Shaar Hashomayim in Windsor. Fran, a confessed “foodie,” has taught cooking classes for the COR Kosher Certification, Ulpanat Orot High School for Girls and privately.
David was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. His parents, Sidney a”h and Pearl Woolf came to Canada in 1950 and settled in Toronto. David attended Eitz Chaim, Ner Israel and William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute. He studied at the University of Toronto, where he received a bachelor’s degree in math followed by an MBA from the University of Windsor. David worked for 36 years as sales manager for Royal Group Technologies and is now retired. The couple split their time between Israel and Toronto.
David was chairman of the board of NCSY Canada for 40 years and recently retired from this position. However, he remains connected to the organization he was instrumental in building and is a constant source of knowledge, advice and support.
Funds collected for the Fran and David Woolf Legacy Fund will provide scholarships for NCSY programs, allowing more Jewish teens to learn and discover their history and heritage.
“The scholarship will be an enduring honor for the Woolf family,” concluded Rabbi Black.
The 20th Annual Ben Zakkai Honor Society Scholarship Reception will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday evening, February 8, 2015 in the Jewish Heritage Museum in downtown Manhattan. For more information or any questions, please contact grossmane@ou.org. To see a full list of honorees visit www.ou.org/bzdinner.