Westchester Business Group Honors Leaders During UJA's Centennial Year

UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional Division honored Barry J. Effron of White Plains and Budd Wiesenberg of Mamaroneck at its 2017 Annual Luncheon on Thursday, May 11th, at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York.

This year’s luncheon celebrated UJA’s 100th anniversary. “Our centennial doesn’t just provide an opportunity to celebrate our achievements; it’s a platform from which to look forward,” said Gary Sastow of Scarsdale, who chaired the event with Geri Pell of Tarrytown. “Some of the problems we’ve faced over a century still persist: hunger, joblessness, the needs of new immigrants, the resurgence of anti-Semitism, a thirst for spiritual guidance."

“Because our world is so complicated, we need to work together to get the best results and avoid redundancy,” he continued. “We do this through collaboration — and that’s where UJA steps in. With more than 80 core partners and hundreds of other nonprofit agencies, we are able to act as convener, bringing people to the table for the best possible solutions to today’s problems.”

The founder of the Westchester Business and Professional Division, Effron established Effron Enterprises, Inc. and Plan Sponsor Network, Inc., firms that developed analytical software for the investment community. After selling his business in 1998, he continues to be active in the investment community as a board member of Pension Group East, a consortium of 60 top U.S. pension funds.

As vice president at CBRE, the world’s largest advisory and transaction real estate firm, Wiesenberg is an advisor and broker in leasing, acquisitions, and sales of commercial space and properties throughout the tri-state region, with a special emphasis on Westchester and Fairfield counties. The recipient of corporate awards at CBRE, he also has been recognized with a number of industry awards.

Susan Taxin Baer of Scarsdale and Ben Blumberg of Larchmont are chairs of the Westchester Business and Professional Division. Judith Stern Rosen of Purchase served as journal chair for the event.

Photo captions

Photo 1: Honorees Budd Wiesenberg of Mamaroneck and Barry Effron of White Plains

Photo 2: (From left) Roy Stillman of Rye Brook presents the division’s award to Budd Wiesenberg.

Photo 3: Barry Effron (center) receives his award from daughters Michelle Levine of Scarsdale (left) and Leslie Effron Levin of White Plains.

Photo 4: (From left) Gary Sastow of Scarsdale, Judith Stern Rosen of Purchase, Geri Pell of Tarrytown, Susan Taxin Baer of Scarsdale, and Ben Blumberg of Larchmont

Photo 5: Three generations of philanthropic women: Charlotte Wiesenberg of New York City, Alice Tenney of Mamaroneck, Judy Tenney of Rye, and Amy Tenney Levere of Larchmont

About UJA-Federation of New York:

For 100 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Working with a network of more than 80 core partners and hundreds of other nonprofits, UJA-Federation is the world’s leading local philanthropy; our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.