Jewish Women International proudly announces Arlene Slutzah as the 2025 recipient of the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award.
Originally created by The Day Chapter of JWI (then B’nai B’rith Women) and the Stahl family, the award honors a Jewish woman whose volunteerism demonstrates a life-long commitment to helping those in the Richmond metropolitan area. Beneficiaries of this highly coveted honor (with few exceptions, given annually since 1963) are chosen by previous years’ recipients.
This year Mrs. Slutzah will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, June 22, at the Weinstein JCC.
According to her nomination, “Arlene is always there to volunteer for anything she is asked to do and works tirelessly to assist at any Temple Beth-El function. She enjoys being part of the Sofie Stahl Committee & Award Reception. She does not know how to say “No” when asked.
Within the Jewish community, Arlene’s heart has belonged to JWI, Temple Beth-El and Beth Sholom Auxiliary (now Sholom Gardens). There are some activities about which she is especially passionate.
A life member of Gila Chapter JWI, Arlene was the longest-serving chapter president (starting in 2005 until the chapter no longer had a president).
Starting in 2001, Arlene joined the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award committee and along with all committee members, to the present time facilitates various aspects of the event.
As stated above, Temple Beth-El and its Sisterhood has benefitted from her indefatigable efforts.
Currently Arlene serves on the Sisterhood Board as Financial Secretary. For the Myra B Danzing Gift Shop at the Parham Road location, she can be found diligently spending countless hours working.
She has served as chair of the gift shop or has run or been part of it for the Sisterhood for many years. In addition, she has worked on various fundraising committees for the synagogue including the Annual Golf Tournaments, Casino Nights, and Gala for Rabbi Creditor’s Retirement and Symphony Fundraiser.
Arlene volunteered for the Beth Sholom Home Auxiliary for several years. She is a former President.
Other positions for which she has volunteered include treasurer and gift shop chair. She assisted with the annual Jewelry Sale (Fundraiser).
All this has not gone unnoticed leading to her receiving several awards. Besides the Sofie Stahl Memorial Award, Arlene has earned the chapter’s Most Distinguished Worker Award 2005-2006. She was 1 of 3 honorees of Temple Beth-El’s Award given at (and appropriately named) The Simchat Torah Award (2018). She has also been awarded Beth-El Sisterhood’s Women of Distinction (2016) and earned the Beth Sholom Auxiliary President’s award (2011).
Her father and mother, Bernard and Leonora Levitt (both now OBM) purchased a local Servpro franchise (Servpro of Richmond) in 1972. Following her mother’s passing, Arlene started working for her father and took over ownership after he died. At that time Arlene, her husband Martin and two sons jointly owned and ran the business for many years until it was sold. While she considers herself retired, she currently works for Servpro of Hanover, Goochland & Caroline.
On Sunday, June 22 (10:30 am), Mrs Slutzah will be honored at a brunch at the Weinstein JCC.
The public is encouraged to join JWI, the Stahl family, previous Sofie Stahl recipients as well as Arlene’s family and friends for the presentation of this richly deserved award.
Per person couvert for the brunch is $54. Pledge levels are Gold $90 and Platinum $126. To RSVP, checks (payable to JWI) should be mailed by June 11th to JWI, c/o Meryl Bernstein, 2806 Burrard St, Henrico, VA 23233.
For more information contact Meryl at 804-360-3131 or mamameryl@verizon.net.
About JWI
Founded in 1897, JWI is the leading Jewish organization championing women and girls (i.e., everyone who experiences the world as female) – of every race, culture, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation – by fighting gender-based violence, preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, addressing the intersection of domestic violence and gun violence; building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country. JWI envisions a world, free of violence and inequity, where all women and girls thrive.
As in past years, proceeds from the Sofie Stahl event support JWI’s National Library Initiative. This program provides for a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, when the immediacy of danger often means leaving home with only her children and the clothes on their backs.
JWI also helps ease this traumatic upheaval by creating children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters – transforming the basic spaces into comforting havens with colorful furniture and rugs, computers and toys, and hundreds of new books that represent the diversity of the women and children served.
For kids whose lives have been upended by violence, JWI libraries provide a safe place to relax, escape into a book, and keep up with homework when they’re most at risk of falling behind in school.
