Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) today recognized Janice Kamenir-Reznik of Encino as her 2014 Woman of the Year for the 27th Senate District.
Kamenir-Reznik retired from active practice as an attorney in 2004 to co-found the non-profit Jewish World Watch, a leading organization in the global anti-genocide movement. In addition, Kamenir-Reznik has volunteered for a variety of community and civic organizations such as the Los Angeles Hillel Council and UCLA Hillel, Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Valley Beth Shalom, California Women Lawyers, and the California Women’s Law Center. She has also served as an LA County Commissioner on a variety of commissions.
“Janice is deserving of this recognition,” Senator Pavley said. “Her tireless dedication to the grassroots, global change movement to combat genocide with a focus on Congo and Sudan is inspiring. I am proud to name her my 2014 Woman of the Year.”
Michael Jeser, Executive Director of Jewish World Watch said of the honor, “I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the survivors of genocide and mass atrocities in Sudan and Congo than by Senator Pavley’s recognition of the vision and leadership of Jewish World Watch Co-Founder and President, Janice Kamenir-Reznik. Janice is indeed a hero who has inspired a generation of activists and has built a community of conscience committed to Not Standing Idly By.”
“It is encouraging, indeed moving, to have the critical, life-saving work of Jewish World Watch recognized by Senator Pavley in this way,” said Kamenir-Reznik. “It is so important for the residents of the San Fernando, Conejo, and Simi Valleys to realize that we can take actions right here at home that can save lives 10,000 miles away. When we exercise our conscience right here at home, we not only enhance the depth and quality of our local community, but we go a distance in shining a light and repairing the world. To my mind, being honored as Woman of the Year by Senator Pavley is a resounding endorsement of the work of Jewish World Watch and the power of people to take local actions which make a significant global impact.”
The Woman of the Year recognition was started in 1987 by Assemblywoman Bev Hansen (R) and Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D), who noticed that the California Legislature had not planned events for the month of March celebrating Women’s History Month. Now every year, all California Legislators have the opportunity to choose and recognize a Woman of the Year from their legislative district.
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