Michael Teplitsky, 35, of Highland Park, is a recipient of the 2015 Davis, Gidwitz & Glasser Young Leadership Award at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s 115th Annual Meeting, held Sept. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The award is presented to volunteers who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and have made significant contributions to the Chicagoland Jewish community.
In his remarks, Teplitsky described his family’s experience as Russian Jews. His parents and grandparents were Refusniks—Russians who were stripped of work and educational opportunities because they were Jewish, yet were refused permission to emigrate.
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“In 1980, when I was born, Soviet anti-Semitism was at its peak,” Teplitsky said. In 1982, his family received one of 84,000 parcels containing clothing and Jewish religious articles from the Joint Distribution Committee, a Federation overseas partner. “That parcel gave us something that we almost lost—hope.” It was the first of numerous times his life was touched by Chicago’s Jewish community, and he has made it his mission to give back.
Teplitsky is currently Campaign Chair for the Jewish United Fund Trades, Industries and Professions (TIP) Financial Services Division, and he has served on a number of JUF boards, committees and commissions.
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In addition, Teplitsky is a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet, serving as a Chicago ambassador to his contemporaries from other communities. His civic leadership includes Chicago Children’s Choir, Kellogg Alumni in Private Equity, and Young Professionals in Energy.
“Michael is the quintessential leader in time, passion, and in giving,” wrote Keith J. Shapiro, Jewish United Fund Board member, in his nomination of Teplitsky. “His passion for Federation, borne out of his family’s migration from Russia to Chicago with Federation’s assistance, is real and deep. He wants to pay it forward to other Jews in need.”
Professionally, Teplitsky is Vice President of Wynnchurch Capital, Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern University where he received both his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation is one of the largest nonprofit social welfare institutions in Illinois. The organization funds a vital network of agencies that act upon core Jewish values, including caring for people in need and sustaining the Jewish community.
