Simon Etzel

FAIRFIELD – Simon F. Etzel, Jr. of Madison will receive the 2014 Arthur and Gladys Lunin Humanitarian Award, and Lydia Gerard will receive the 2014 Louis Lotstein Award for Distinguished Service, it was announced recently by the Women’s Auxiliary of Jewish Senior Services (JSS). The awards will be presented at the Women’s Auxiliary 2014 Fall Gala held on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Inn at Longshore in Westport.

Active in many communal organizations, Simon Etzel currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees for The Cove Center for Grieving Children, and as a member of the Advisory Council for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, where he also participates in the organization’s building program. Professionally, he is senior vice president of procurement and a principal owner of the construction services firm, KBE Building Corporation. The Lunin Award is presented in recognition of outstanding public and community service.

An active volunteer at JSS – formerly The Jewish Home – for close to 15 years, Lydia Gerard previously served as president of the JSS Women’s Auxiliary and has remained actively involved as a member of the Board of Directors. She continues to play leadership roles, co-chairing major fundraisers and participating on planning committees.

Lydia Gerard

The Lotstein Award recognizes leaders for their long-term service to Jewish Senior Services.

The 2014 Gala will be highlighted by an intimate, private concert featuring the legendary performer Art Garfunkel, and by a dinner and auction. The evening is co-chaired by Judy Brown of Fairfield, Jill Isaacs of Westport and Sheila Merriam of Easton.