The Buffalo Jewish Federation is pleased to welcome new leaders for its Board of Governors.  This year’s nominating process was led by Steven Weiss, past president of Federation and included committee members: Steve Awner, Marc Brown, Iris Danziger, Brenda Feldstein, Brenda Freedman, Ezra Rich, Cheryl Stein and Kim Yonaty. In addition to the newest governors, the following individuals were reelected to the board: Jeffrey Blum, Iris Danziger, Jake Katz, Merredith Levin and Harvey Sanders. The current officers were also reelected to another one-year team.  They include: President Shelly Yellen, Vice Presidents Shawn Frier and Rise’ Kulick, Treasurer Marjorie Bryen, Secretary Ellen Weiss, and Immediate Past President, Leslie Kramer.

Today, we’re honored to spotlight two of our newest board members: Amelida Ortiz Weinmann  and Ken Shuman

Amélida Ortiz Weinmann

Amélida has been an active leader in the Jewish community having served as co-chair of Super Sunday and is currently recruitment chair for the International Lion of Judah Conference.  Amélida is also a Trustee at Temple Beth Zion, where she was co-chair of the Kol Nidre fundraising campaign, the Alternative High Holiday Service and Luncheon Committee. She is currently cochair of the Ritual Committee.

Outside of the Jewish Community, Amélida is a current board member of the Hispanic Women’s League, where she has actively co-chaired the scholarship fundraising dinner and the book club committees.  She was also a founding board member of the Greater Buffalo Community Foundation Cultures of Legacy Giving Initiative.

Amélida lives in North Buffalo with her spouse, Peter Allen Weinmann. They have four children, two in college and two in high school.

Ken Shuman

Native Buffalonian Ken Shuman returns to the Federation Board after a brief hiatus.  After graduating from Michigan State in 1982, Ken worked in New York city until 1987. He then returned to Buffalo to work in his family business, Shuman Plastics, and in 2008, was named its President.  Ken and his spouse Amy have two grown children and a St. Bernard named Luna (who joins Ken each day at the office). He is grateful to have served on various Jewish agency boards with many talented and passionate leaders. In his spare time, Ken enjoys any activity that’s human-powered and preferably outdoors!