Community Service Award Given To Moreland Hills Resident

BEACHWOOD, OH — The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has announced the recipient of the 2017 Gries Family Award for Community Leadership. This year's winner is Kim Meisel Pesses, a Moreland Hills resident, that has worked with the Federation for more than two decades.

“I’m so honored to receive this award,” said Pesses. “Being involved and giving back in both the Jewish and general community builds bridges that not only promotes understanding across all communities, but enriches all of us.”

Pesses has worked with several Cleveland organizations that reflect two of her most burning passions: children's health and Alzheimer's disease awareness. She has served as a Trustee for the Alzheimer's Association and President of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. She's currently a Trustee for the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation and is a founding Board Member of Engage! Cleveland.

“Kim is very well-known in the community in terms of her involvement in the hospital network, economic development, and a multitude of charities,” said Gary Shamis, chair of the 2017 Gries Family Award Committee. “The amount of places she is involved with and held leadership positions at is an amazing accomplishment.”

Pesses has served on more than a dozen Federation committees. She's currently one of the Federation's Board of Trustees members. She also serves on the Development Committee and the Foundation Advisory Committee. She has also served on the Alzheimer's/Dementia Task Force, among other groups.

The Gries family, for whom the annual award is named, were one of the first Jewish families to settle in Cleveland. Each award includes a donation to a charitable cause selected by the recpipient. Pesses selected JFSA, a Federation beneficiary agency and the Cleveland PlayHouse.

Photo from Jewish Federation of Cleveland