Utah rabbi nominated for Hero award

Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch in Salt Lake City has been nominated as a Utah Community Jewish Hero by United Jewish Communities.

The Jewish Community Heroes campaign celebrates the selflessness and courage of those who put others before themselves.

During the next three months, anyone across North America can go online, submit nominations and vote for the candidates they believe best embody the spirit of the award.

Five finalists will be honored this November at a General Assembly in Washington, D.C. Of the five finalists, one will be named the Jewish Community Hero of the Year.

The Hero of the Year will be provided with $25,000 to be used as an investment in his or her community project or nonprofit effort via that person's local Jewish Federation, or another recognized 501(c)3 charitable entity or Canadian equivalent, and he or she will be invited to and recognized at next year's General Assembly.

The remaining four finalists will receive a smaller amount to be used as an investment in their community project or nonprofit effort via their local Jewish Federations, or recognized 501(c)3 charitable entities or Canadian equivalents.

"As I was nominated a Jewish Hero, I'd like to ask you that you kindly help support our important outreach work throughout Utah by voting for me," Rabbi Zippel said.

He has worked with Salt Lake area youth dealing with substance abuse and related addiction issues.

To vote for Rabbi Zippel, go to: www.jewishcommunityheroes.org/nominees/profile/benny-zippel/

— Lynn Arave