HONOREES JACK AND ARLENE DOLOBOFF Jack and Arlene moved to Asheville in July of 1957. With humble beginnings, a strong work ethic and deep rooted values, Jack and Arlene were determined to raise a beautiful family, and become contributing members of the local Jewish community. After holding many jobs and being successful at them, Jack, partnered with Jerry Sternberg, and went into business they would manage together for forty years. Arlene began a magnificent volunteer career while raising the children, and worked part time in the insurance industry. In 1979, she began volunteering at St. Joseph’s hospital, and to date has logged over 10,000 volunteer hours in the hospital’s gift shop. She also served many years on the hospitals volunteer guild board, including two terms as its president. She has been a member of Hadassah for almost sixty years, serving three terms as its president. The Doloboff’s first experience with Chabad took place in the 1980's, when Jack was flipping the channels on television and came across the Lubavitcher Rebbe talking to a group of thousands of followers at 770 Eastern Parkway. He was amazed. Jack and Arlene met Rabbi and Mrs. Mariashi Groner, founders of Chabad of the Carolinas, in the mid 1990’s. They became very good friends, and began supporting Chabad. A few years later, after a developing interest for Asheville to have a permanent Chabad presence, Jack and Arlene were very instrumental in helping to make it a reality. In June of 2006, Jack and Arlene assisted the Susskind’s in moving to Asheville, and became partners with them, in establishing the first permanent Chabad presence in Western North Carolina. Since then, Jack and Arlene have been behind every program, initiative, and service the Chabad House has offered, and have worked hand in hand with the Susskind’s in ensuring that Chabad House is the prominent, respected and flourishing organization that it is today. Jack and Arlene have been and continue to be Jewish philanthropists. They have supported a wide array of Jewish, local, and global causes for the past 50 years, have been pillars of support for every member of their immediate and extended family in every way possible, and have been loyal friends to all who are lucky enough to know them. Jack and Arlene remain determined to see Judaism flourish in Asheville and are proud of all that has been achieved so far. They are committed and driven by their desire to sustain Judaism, and pass Torah, Mitzvot, and traditional Jewish values to the next generation. At the same time, they are looking toward the future, and are committed to help ensure Chabad’s continued growth and success for the coming years. BRIAN AND SARA LAVELLE Brian and Sara Lavelle settled in Asheville in 1968, where they raised their three children. Upon arriving in Asheville, Brian began a long and prestigious career at the Van Winkle Law Firm. Sara left the field of medical research to focus on homemaking; something very important to both Sara and Brian. Brian was a distinguished member of the North Carolina Bar, serving twice on the board of Governors. He was a Fellow and Former Regent of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law. In addition to his law career, Brian was an active member of the Asheville community, and served on the Board of trustees for Asheville Country Day, and on the advisory board for the Salvation Army. He was a member of the Rotary, the Board of the Community Foundation of WNC, the Rhododendron Brigade and the Biltmore Forest Country Club. Together with his wife Sara, Brian was a beloved participant and supporter of many of the Chabad programs and classes, and was at the founding meeting of Friends of Chabad. Brian supported Sara in all of her interests and pursuits, he appreciated giving charity privately, and maintained strong friendships in our community and outside of it. Sara loves gardening and enjoys floral design; she dabbled in painting and in sculpture. Sara hosted exchange students in their home for many years, helped take care of children and teens at risk, and always maintained an open home for whoever needed comfort and lodging. Among Sara’s greatest passions is her love of learning, and she truly enjoys taking the JLI classes at Chabad House. Sara currently sits on Chabad's Advisory Board, where her input, suggestions, and wise counsel is valued, and integrated into Chabad’s programs and direction. Brian and Sara enjoyed being involved in the development of this community's social and spiritual environment, and being involved in the growth of Chabad has been an added joy. Sara and Brian became involved with Chabad in 2006, though Chabad's adult learning classes, and then went on to volunteering and supporting Chabad's various events throughout the year. Brian and Sara were the first ones to underwrite Chabad's first local Jewish calendar, which is now approaching its 10th year of publication. Brian and Sara feel that G‑d has really blessed their family, and actively give back from the blessings that were bestowed on them. SCOTT AND KAREN PALY Scott and Karen moved to Asheville in 1996, where they raised their two daughters, Erin and Brooke. Karen grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa where she studied Graphic Design, and worked for a number of advertising agencies and design studios before going freelance. In 1990, Karen sold her company and moved to Dallas, TX and continued working in her field. After meeting and marrying Scott, she again started a design company which she ran until her first daughter was born. While raising her daughters, Karen volunteered at CarePartners Rehab Hospital for 13 years, as well as for the JCC, Beth HaTephila, Carolina Day School, Mission Hospital and Asheville High School. In her spare time, Karen loves to cook and bake, make chocolate, work out, read, draw and take art lessons, make greeting cards which are sold in a few area stores, watch movies, travel and hang out with friends. Scott grew up in Miami, and Tallahassee, Florida. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, ran his own lawn & handyman service while working through college, and graduated with a BA in Biology & Chemical Science from Florida State University. After post-baccalaureate education at the University of Florida, he became the top salesperson and sales manager at several firms in Gainesville, Florida and Dallas, Texas. Thereafter, he founded several information technology staffing firms. One was in the Dallas 100, considered the fastest growing firm in the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex, for five straight years. After moving to Asheville, Scott continued growing the companies remotely. After they were acquired by a public firm in 1999, Scott “retired” at the age of 39 and started developing real estate. The next venture was starting an internet security company which was acquired by a telecommunications firm in 2014. Scott volunteers his time at Care Partners, Chabad House, and other organizations. He met the Susskinds shortly after their arrival in Asheville, and has been a supporter ever since. DAVID AND JILL ZIMERMAN David and Jill met in 1974 through Jill's sister who lived in Toronto. At that time, Jill worked at Cornell Medical Group at New York Hospital, and David had an apple farm in Trenton, Ontario. Aside from work, family, friendships, and apples, David and Jill were active in civic and Jewish concerns. In 2002, when retirement surged upon them, they intuitively chose to move to Asheville. David and Jill were married for 33 years, and spent 7 happy retirement years together. Their lives were rich with new experiences and friendships. David and Jill first met with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Susskind several short months after their arrival to Asheville in 2006. Their connection with the young couple was immediate; it was then that David and Jill became both an effective and supportive part of Chabad in Asheville. In David's memory, Jill remains a staunch supporter of Jewish principles and the land Israel. Jill continues to appreciate and support the loving work done by the Chabad House of Asheville. The Guardians of the Jewish Future Award is presented to the Jill Zimerman as a tribute to hers and David OBM's commitment to watch over the land of Israel and guard the future of the Jewish people. It is bestowed in grateful recognition of their tremendous care and constant support of the Chabad House, as Chabad fulfills their vision of instilling Jewish values, Torah teachings, good ethics, and integrity in the next generation of Jewish Asheville. DAN AND CAREN ZIVONY Dan and Caren met in Atlanta, GA in 1998 and moved to Asheville in 2003. After their arrival, Dan founded Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery where he currently practices surgical dermatology. Caren has a background in counseling as well as meeting planning and leading bike tours, and she currently volunteers her time with various organizations including Chabad House. They have three children, ages 11, 9 and 6. The Zivony's are pioneers at Chabad's Hebrew School of the Arts since the school opened its doors in September 2007 with just 4 students. Their children have spent Sundays at the Hebrew School ever since, and their Jewish education and identity is due in large part to the amazing things they have learned and experienced there. Caren and Dan are particularly pleased to see how much Chabad House has grown over the past ten years and they are grateful to everyone at Chabad for how much they have contributed to Jewish life in Asheville. Caren has been an invaluable asset in helping the school grow both quantitatively and qualitatively. Her signature grace and constant willingness to be of assistance, has enabled the school to become a pre-eminent provider of Jewish education in Western North Carolina. Dozens of students, together with their families, have embraced their Jewish heritage, because of her help in introducing them to Chabad House. The Susskind's attribute much of the credit of the increase in Torah learning and observance of Mitzvot among the Jewish families of Western North Carolina, to the Zivony's, and are forever grateful to them for their tremendous contribution toward our community's children, and to the entire Chabad House.
