WEST HARTFORD – Dr. Claudio and Lee Ann Benadiva will be honored at the 2017 Ner Tamid Gala of Solomon Schechter Day School (SSDS) of Greater Hartford, to be held on Tuesday, May 23, 7 p.m., at Beth El Temple.

Michael Johnston

The Gala will also feature the presentation of Schechter’s Community Service Awards to Michael Johnston, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and Howard Sovronsky, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. The awards ceremony will be followed by a performance by Ophira Eisenberg, comedian and host of NPR and WNYC’s “Ask Me Another.”

The parents of two SSDS alum, Carina, 24, and Joshua, 21, the Benadivas are members of Beth El Temple and are actively involved in the Greater Hartford community.

A past president of the Schechter PTO, Lee Ann Benadiva also served the school as chair of the Mishpacha Committee, accountant, and past Ner Tamid co-chair. She currently holds the post of secretary on the Schechter Board of Trustees and is a past member of the Board of Jewish Teen Learning Connection.

Howard Sovronsky

Dr. Claudio Benadiva serves as the director of the IVF Laboratory at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services and as clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Connecticut. A member of the UConn’s Institutional Review Board from 2006-2011, he is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has served as president of the Greater Hartford Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. He is a recipient of the American Fertility Association’s “Family Building Award.”

Michael Johnston has served in leadership positions in two synagogues and the Board of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut. He currently serves on the Board of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy and the Advisory Board of Drew University’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Howard Sovronsky came to the Federation almost three years ago after holding a range of executive-level positions in the non-profit, public and hospital sectors. He and his wife, Ruth, were founding members of the newest Conservative synagogue on Long Island, the Woodbury Jewish Center.

For more information about the Ner Tamid Gala, call (860) 561-0700.

CAP: Dr. Claudio and Lee Ann Benadiva.