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Song of Miriam 2020-21 honorees, part 5

LEORA TROPER Toinette shared a co-chair position with Vic when
Honored by Congregation Shir Tikvah they headed up CSP’s 75th Anniversary celebra-
Over the years, Leora Troper has lent her talents tion, which brought more than 650 attendees to
to Congregation Shir Tikvah in ways almost too the Hilton Hotel.
numerous to count. In 1996, Toinette co-chaired “The Nosh,”
She has volun- which kicked off the capital campaign for Rose
teered and taught Schnitzer Manor.
in the religious For more than 20 years, Toinette has led the
school. She led most popular Rose Schnitzer Manor program,
a song group en- “Put in Your Two Cents,” which was originat-
couraging novice ed by Elaine Shapiro. This program inspires
singers to learn the passionate dialogue and debate around current
tunes to import- events.
ant prayers. She’s Toinette’s love for CSP, whether leading
introduced new fund-raising or engaging residents, has contin-
styles of cantilla- ued for over 40 years, embodying the heart of
tion during Shab- our community.
bat prayers.
Leora has also immersed herself in the business KARA ORVIETO
For 27 years, the Jewish of the congregation, including a recent tenure as Honored by Congregation Shaarie Torah
Women’s Round Table has the co-chair of Shir Tikvah’s Board of Directors. Kara Orvieto is a dedicated volunteer at Con-
recognized women volunteers She currently is active in maintaining a racial gregation Shaarie Torah with a long list of ac-
in the community at its Song of justice e-mail list to bring information about op- complishments.
Miriam Awards Brunch. portunities for anti-racist action and education to She served on the
In the face of the pandemic, the attention of Shir Tikvah’s membership. synagogue Board
the brunch was cancelled last Shir Tikvah says Leora has a generous nature of Directors, the
year. This year, JWRT leaders and gives so much to those around her, both in staff recruiting
still believed it would not be terms of time and energy. She is a consensus committee, and
seeker and wants to make sure those who don’t participated in the
safe to hold an indoor event have a voice are always heard. She is deeply SULAM (Lad-
that often draws more than 300 thoughtful and looks for ways to improve life for der) curriculum
people. everyone. to bring new ed-
Since the first brunch in As one fellow congregant noted, “She is a risk ucational ideas
June 1993, between 15 and taker in the service of stretching herself and the and opportunities
23 women have received the community.” for children and
annual award. Honorees have adults.
been selected by more than 25 TOINETTE MENASHE Kara volunteered as representative for the PJ
congregations and organiza- Honored by Cedar Sinai Park Library committee with the Jewish Federation
tions. Nearly 500 women have Toinette Menashe’s passion for CSP began in of Greater Portland for three years, which sends
been honored since the award 1983 when her mom came to live at the Robison free Jewish-themed books to children.
In addition, she has been on committees for sev-
Home. At first,
was created. she started read- eral successful fund-raising and outreach events.
JWRT and the Jewish Review ing the newspaper Kara has served as vice president of Sisterhood
have united to ensure Song of to a group of res- and is currently the membership chair.
Miriam Award nominees from idents before she She was awarded Shaarie Torah’s “Livnot Ke-
2020 and 2021 get the recogni- went to work run- hillah Building Award” for rising stars within the
tion they deserve. This sum- ning the MALS synagogue.
mer, the Review has featured (Master of Arts in Kara is a proud Girl Scout mom. Professional-
pictures of honorees along with Liberal Studies) ly, she is an operations analyst for PGE and is a
a description of their work and program at Reed member of its corporate Women’s Business Re-
why they are valuable to their College. sources Group.
Shaarie Torah says Kara is always willing to
This generosity
organizations. of nature evolved lend a hand and brings fresh ideas and perspec-
Following is the fifth and final into serving two tive to everything she works on. She has great
group of three women whose terms on the Ce- empathy for the thoughts and feelings of others,
organizations selected them to dar Sinai Park Board of Trustees along with her and she does everything with a kind heart and
receive the Song of Miriam. husband, Vic Menashe, who is a past president. gentle spirit.

You also can read the first 12 profiles of Marni Glick, Eliana Temkin, Sam Perrin, Hannah
Berkowitz, Joni Plotkin, Kathleen Doctor, Robin Ellison, Carol Ray Richmond, Shari Raider,
Liza Milliner, Diana Lindemann and Sheryl Chomak at
jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/song-of-miriam-awards-part-1

4 Jewish Review Aug. 4, 2021