On May 9th, we honored our Chairman of the Board, Richard V. Sandler, with the Bruce I. Hochman Maimonides Torch of Justice Award during our Federation’s 64th Annual Legal Division Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. More than 700 attorneys, judges and community leaders came out to recognize Richard’s outstanding service to our Federation and to the Jewish people. This year’s Legal Dinner, which was followed by our EMET After Party for young adults in the legal profession, raised more than $1 million in support of our Federation’s life-changing work on behalf of our community.
Now serving his fourth year as our Chairman, Richard is executive vice president and a trustee of the Milken Family Foundation and a partner in the law firm of Maron and Sandler, which specializes in business restructurings and acquisitions, securities transactions and real estate. Receiving the Bruce I. Hochman Maimonides Torch of Justice Award was especially meaningful for Richard because his father, Raymond z”l Sandler, received it in 1997. Richard’s father had a profound impact on his life and his tremendous commitment to Jewish community.
Richard was presented the award by Lowell Milken, Chairman and Co-Founder, Milken Family Foundation, who gave a heartfelt introduction talking about their life-long friendship. After receiving the award, he spoke passionately about his gratitude for his parents, his wife Ellen and their family, and the privilege to live every day with the Jewish values that have been handed down to us from our ancestors and the need to keep those values alive to sustain the Jewish people for the generations that follow us. It’s safe to say that everyone in the room left with an even greater appreciation of Richard.
For a better understanding of Richard’s commitment to the Jewish people and his leadership within our community, watch this video shown at the event:
Speakers and presenters during the event included Cantor Nathan Lam, Stephen S. Wise; Douglas Praw, Legal Division Dinner Chair; Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Valley Beth Shalom; Richard and Ellen’s children Nicholas, Scott and Tracy Sandler; Sharon Janks, Federation General Campaign Chair; Dan Shallman, Legal Division Chair; Stanley P. Gold, Immediate Past Chairman; and Jay Sanderson, President & CEO of Jewish Federation Los Angeles.
Honorary Chairs for the dinner were: Lowell Milken, Michael Milken, Nicholas Sandler, Scott Sandler and Tracy Sandler. Dinner Chairs were Lynn & Les Bider, Ilene & Stanley Gold, and Heidi & Albert Praw. After Party Chairs: Aaron Kollitz and Alicia Macklin.
For more information, contact Gwenn Drucker-Flait, Director of our Federation’s Legal Division, at GDrucker-Flait@JewishLA.org.
