Arts & Culture Community Life Adults & Seniors Partner Programs

Voices of Leadership

Adults (18+), Adults (65+) Fundraising Events, Scholarships

Voices of Leadership, formerly known as IMAGINE, is the Bender JCC’s annual spring event honoring transformational civic leadership. During a time when financial need has increased dramatically in our community due to job loss, we are grateful for this opportunity to direct proceeds to scholarship ensuring our Bender JCC remains inclusive and accessible.

Voices of Leadership 2025

Voices of Leadership 2025 featured Lior Raz (star and co-creator of the Netflix TV series, Fauda) and Dana Bash, CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent, in a captivating and compelling conversation. We presented the 2025 Benjamin Ourisman Memorial Award for Civic Achievement to Drs. Ellen and Stuart Lessans. Thank you to our event 2025 event co-chairs Jodi and Richard Reff.

2025 Honorees

2025 Honorees Coming Soon

Voices Of Leadership | 2025 Sponsors

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors for their generous support.

The Bender Foundation, Inc.
Lids Foundation
VPC Incorporated
Beth Glassman
Lisa and John Ourisman
Reff-Kullen Family Fund
Richard B. Reff, MD and Dr. Jodi Reff
Robert A. Reff, MD and Jeri Reff
Dr. Shirley R. Kullen

Grace Rabinowitz Foundation

Carol and Gary Berman
Beth and Daryle Bobb
Alma and Josephz’l Gildenhorn Philanthropic Fund
Alma Gildenhorn
Cathy and Michael Gildenhorn
Carol and Michael Winer
Lisie and Michael Gottdenker
Phillip Margolius
Amy and Alan Meltzer
Wendy and Matthew Morris
Janyse and Bernie Weisz

Bender JCC Early Childhood Parent Committee
Heidi and Michael Brodsky
Marcy and Neil Cohen
EY
Wendy and Noam Fischman
Annette and Bernard Forseter
Helene Weisz and Richard Lieberman
Robyn and Steve Lustig
Holly and Brad Mendelson
Tina and Albert H. Small, Jr.
Susan and Bradley Stillman
Wealthspire Advisors

Wendi and Daniel Abramowitz
Eve and Andrew Stern
Wilkes Artis and Eric Kassoff

Sponsorship Opportunites and Tickets

Sponsorship Opportunities coming soon

The Benjamin Ourisman Award for Civic Achievement

Since 1956, the Bender JCC has presented the Benjamin Ourisman Memorial Award for Civic Achievement to deserving local leaders who work tirelessly to break down barriers, improve the lives of their neighbors, and bring positive change to their communities.

Benjamin Ourisman was a car mechanic, business man, war veteran, and civic leader.

In 1905, Benjamin Ourisman and his family immigrated to Washington D.C. from Ukraine. Like many Jewish immigrants at the time, the Ourismans relied on the Greater Washington Jewish community to sustain them through the turbulent hardships of immigration, including culture shock and antisemitism. These experiences taught Benjamin Ourisman the power of community and the need to give back.

That is why in 1936, at age 35, Benjamin Ourisman became president of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, a position he held for six years through one of the most horrific and turbulent times for the Jewish world and our country. During this time, as we do today, the Bender JCC played an important role in connecting Jews throughout the Greater Washington region.

In 1958, the Bender JCC created the Benjamin Ourisman Memorial Award for Civic Achievement. Each year, our honorees exemplify a commitment to strengthening our community through exceptional leadership, thereby honoring the legacy of our past president, Col. Benjamin Ourisman.

The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose important contributions often go unnoticed — unsung heroes who have quietly, tirelessly, and unselfishly demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to improving and enhancing the quality of life in our community.