Frank Among First Grinspoon Award Recipients

Presented at the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly, the awards recognize five inspiring Jewish communal professionals whose leadership and vision strengthen Jewish life and community.

Atlanta, GA (December 10, 2025)—Five outstanding professionals who have made exceptional contributions to the Jewish world will receive the first ever Grinspoon Amber Awards at the annual Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly. The Awards honor professionals whose leadership and dedication have strengthened Jewish life in meaningful and enduring ways, celebrating individuals whose work shapes and uplifts the Jewish community. The inaugural Awards, first announced at the 2024 General Assembly, reflect both organizations’ shared commitment to celebrating and supporting the professionals who sustain Jewish communal life.

Each 2025 Grinspoon Amber Awards recipient will receive a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to “pay it forward” by selecting two individuals they know whose work shapes Jewish life to receive Peer Recognition Grants of $2,500 each. This distinctive feature is intended to foster a ripple effect of gratitude, mentorship, and shared celebration across the Jewish communal field.

The 2025 Grinspoon Amber Awards honorees are:
Elana Frank, founder and CEO, Jewish Fertility Foundation (Atlanta, Ga.)
Rabbi Ana Bonnheim, founding executive director, Jewish Learning Collaborative (Charlotte, N.C.)
Jeremy Burton, CEO, JCRC Boston (Boston, Mass.)
Jonathan Falk, vice president, Israel Action and Addressing Antisemitism Program, Hillel International (Denver, Colo.)
Michelle Koplan, chief executive officer, BB360 (Portland, Ore.)

Upon finding out she had been selected, Frank shared, “[I was] stunned and honored — and immediately aware that this recognition belongs to many. I thought first of our clients and our staff — the heart of JFF — who show up every day with compassion and excellence. I also thought of our volunteers (Fertility Buddies who serve as mentors for people currently experiencing infertility), support group therapists, fertility doctors, and community partners who walk with families through vulnerable moments.”

Frank continued about what her selection means for the Jewish Fertility Foundation and its community.

“Awards matter only if they widen the circle of support; my first instinct was to use the visibility for impact, not applause. I’m especially grateful to the philanthropic partners and individual donors who have sustained our work,” she said.

Know someone who’s making an outstanding contribution to Jewish communal life? Nominations for the 2026 Grinspoon Amber Awards will open on Jan. 1, 2026, and extend through the end of February. Eligible nominees will then be invited to apply. For details on eligibility and the nomination process, visit www.amberawards.org or email [email protected].