Ben Sadowski Award of Merit
The Ben Sadowski Award of Merit was created by UJA Federation in 1960 to acknowledge a volunteer with outstanding leadership qualities and years of involvement in the Jewish general communities. With his unwavering commitment to people, Ben Sadowski z”l, the first President of the United Jewish Welfare Fund (predecessor to UJA Federation), embodied the definition of a natural leader. This award is his legacy to the Jewish community.
MORRIS PERLIS
Morris Perlis is a respected business leader and devoted community builder, whose leadership and generosity have shaped both the corporate and Jewish communal landscapes.
Morris began his career at Kraft General Foods before joining American Express, where he spent two decades in senior roles. He later led Counsel Corporation as president and advised CEOs across North America through his own consulting firm, Morris Perlis + Associates.
Morris’s lifelong dedication to community leadership includes volunteer roles on the boards of the Schulich School of Business, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, CIJA, and JIAS, among others, and the Board of Governors of Mount Sinai Hospital.
Morris has been married to Sarah for 52 years. They have known each other since their families were next door neighbours in the Fohrenwald DP camp near Munich after the war. They have three wonderful sons, three great daughters-in-law, and eight super grandchildren.
JEFF ROSENTHAL
Jeff Rosenthal is managing partner of Imperial Capital Group, which he co-founded in 1989. He is also a co-founder and director of Altex Capital, an alternative asset platform focused on the GP Secondary marketplace.
Jeff has extensive Jewish community leadership experience. This includes previously serving as chair of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and co-chair for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). Jeff’s involvement with UJA stems back many years, including his service as co-chair of UJA’s Annual Campaign in 2011.
Past community roles also include those of vice-chair of the Sinai Health Foundation, co-founder of Venture Sinai, and chair of the Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation.
Jeff is a Fisher Flight Fellow; a recipient of the Leadership Development Award from Jewish Federations of North America; and, along with his wife Lori, a recipient of the Harold Lederman Award for Philanthropic Leadership. Jeff and Lori are the proud parents of three adult children: Rachel, Lilah, and Benjamin.