Cheryl & Stan Hammerman
who will be presented with
The Rabbi Micah Caplan z”l Award
and
Amy Lieber
who will be presented with
The Sherman Minkoff z”l Service Award
Stephanie & Mo Garfinkle, Veronica & Eddie Lange and Michelle & Michael Raizer
We welcome anyone interested to join the planning committee. Please contact at martininight@otaz.org.
Cheryl and Stan Hammerman have been a part of the greater Phoenix Jewish community for more than 50 years. They met at the beginning of their sophomore year at The Ohio State University and married at the end of their junior year.
Cheryl was born in Philadelphia where it seemed that everyone was Jewish, but her family did not actively participate in the organized community. She did attend an Orthodox Sunday school for several years and was greatly influenced by her maternal grandfather. Like so many other Jewish families, they celebrated Passover and Chanukah. Unfortunately, Grandpop passed away when Cheryl was still very young and her grandmom lovingly called her The Rebbetzin because she tried to keep the teachings of her grandfather alive. Once Stan and Cheryl got together, Judaism became a central part of their lives.
Stan’s upbringing was deeply rooted in Judaism. His grandfather was a Hebrew teacher and Torah scholar. Stan’s father was often chair of Israel Bond drives and served as president of the Conservative synagogue in Dayton, Ohio. His mother was president of Hadassah, a leader in many other Jewish organizations, and ultimately became the founding editor of the Dayton Jewish Chronicle. These influences made a strong impression on Stan and Cheryl as their commitment to Jewish organizations and synagogue life increased.
After graduating from OSU, Stan attended Ohio Northern University Law School. It was extremely cold there, and Cheryl and Stan made the wise decision to move to Phoenix. Stan served as a bailiff and worked briefly as an associate at a law firm. In 1977, Stan founded his own law firm where he and Cheryl worked together for the next 35 years, with Cheryl serving as the Director of Finance. The law firm grew, as did the Hammerman family, welcoming their three children, Jessica, Eli, and Shaina, and has now bloomed to include their wonderful in-law kids—Isaac, Julie, and Octavio—and six adorable grandchildren!
When Cheryl and Stan moved to Phoenix to begin their adult lives, they only knew a couple of people. However, within three months, they were fortunate to be invited to join the first cohort of the Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Development Committee, where they made lifelong friends and were welcomed into the greater Phoenix Jewish community. Cheryl was assigned as an intern/volunteer to Hillel at ASU and went on to serve on the board, eventually becoming President of the Hillel Advisory Council under Rabbi Barton Lee z”l. She also participated in Junior Civic Leaders and Women’s Council, both under the Jewish Federation. Cheryl was awarded the Lee Amada Young Leadership Award as well as Women of the Year. She served on the executive board of the Pacific Southwest Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and held a two-year position on the International USCJ board. Cheryl also served on Beth El Congregation’s board, as well as directing the choir. She was a founder of Solomon Schechter Day School, housed at Beth El, and served as president of that board. Cheryl studied and became a bat mitzvah in 1983, and is an active Torah and Haftarah reader to this day.
Cheryl has always been passionate about the arts. Her degree in Music Theory and Composition from OSU led to a job at the Phoenix Symphony. She acted in the very first production of the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, as well as sitting on the board. She has appeared in many musicals and plays at Ohio Northern University and with the Central Community Players in Phoenix. Cheryl volunteered as a scriptwriter for the Judaic Cultural Orchestra—a program that presented six years of concerts raising funds for American Friends of Magen David Adom. She also realized her dream by conducting a piece at each of the yearly concerts. Cheryl has served on the board of the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival since her retirement.
Stan’s Jewish path in Arizona began with the Young Leadership Development Committee assigning him as a board member of the Jewish Education Council, which ultimately became the Bureau of Jewish Education. Stan sat on this board for a number of years, then joined the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council. As a member of Beth El, Stan served on the board, working his way up to Ritual VP and ultimately four years as president of the congregation. Following his presidency, Stan served as Parliamentarian during a difficult time at the synagogue. When Eddie Lange approached Stan and asked if he and Cheryl would like to help start a new synagogue, they agreed, and Or Chadash was on its way to becoming a reality.
In 2008, Stan and Rabbi Darren Kleinberg met to discuss the status of adult Jewish education in Arizona. They agreed that there was a strong need for serious Jewish education. After a parlor meeting at the Hammerman home with other interested community members, they discussed the implementation of a new program, which was designated as Valley Beit Midrash. Stan was the original Board Chair and has been a part of the successful growth of the program with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. It is now recognized globally as an innovative approach to Jewish education and social action in accordance with Torah values. Stan currently sits on the board as an advisor and actively participates in its Life & Legacy program. He has a passion for the study of Torah, frequently attends classes, listens to podcasts, and often attends multiple Zoom services. Stan enjoys reading Torah, attending services, and feels very much at home at Or Tzion.
Once Or Chadash got going, Stan and Cheryl served in many capacities. Stan served as the designated leader of shiva minyanim, which was quite meaningful for him, and hopefully for those in mourning. He currently serves on the Ritual Committee. Cheryl served on various committees and has been a member of the L’dor Vador Committee since its inception. She most recently chaired the Search Committee, which led to the hiring of our Membership Engagement Manager.
Stan and Cheryl co-chaired the 10th Anniversary Gala at Or Tzion with other community leaders, as well as Rabbi Green’s Installation. They hosted the first several years of our congregation’s Sukkot Under the Stars program, and after COVID, once again hosted the event. They have also hosted many Zoom yahrzeit minyanim.
Stan and Cheryl have always been a team. They share Jewish values and their love for Judaism, and believe in working hard to achieve their goals. Shortly after they were married, they even operated a Mr. Softee ice cream truck—and their marriage has thrived SUCCESSFULLY for over 55 years!
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Amy moved to Arizona in 1998 and quickly became involved in the Phoenix Jewish community by accepting a part-time position as Youth Adviser at Beth El. That role soon expanded when she stepped in as Interim Youth Director for the remainder of the school year.
In 2002, close friends began a campaign to establish a new Conservative synagogue in the Northeast Valley, and Amy immediately jumped in—joining committees, helping develop programs, and even leading Friday night Shabbat services for the fledgling congregation. That same year, her parents, Dennie and Efrem, relocated to the Valley, and Amy recruited them to volunteer and participate in the new community as well. The congregation would become Congregation Or Chadash, which later merged with Har Zion in 2014 to form Congregation Or Tzion.
From the earliest years of Or Chadash, Amy found herself drawn to graphic design and communications. Whatever the project—event flyers, emails, invitations, logos, posters, booklets, or registration materials—Amy was the go-to creator. Over the past two decades, she has honed her design skills and built strong relationships with local printers to meet the congregation’s needs. Her organizational abilities have been equally invaluable: since 2004, she has managed High Holiday registration for members and guests, organized and distributed tickets for more than 500 families, and written and published the annual Book of Remembrance for Yizkor services. Few congregants realize the countless hours Amy has dedicated to Or Tzion over the past 20+ years, all to the benefit of the entire community.
Professionally, Amy began her career as a high school biology teacher after earning her Bachelor of Science degree, and has since worked as a real estate agent, Executive Assistant, and Event Planner. Since 2010, she has managed the day-to-day operations of Laser Health Technologies, home of the LaserTouchOne pain relief device. Beyond her professional and synagogue commitments, Amy serves as Treasurer of the Sonoran Sky Elementary School PTO and Co-Treasurer of the Desert Shadows Middle School PTO.
At home, Amy happily shares her life with her partner, Jason, their 12-year-old son, Adam, and their adorable dog, Tuxedo.