This year in Nizhny Novgorod, the “Man of the Year” awards were presented during Chanukah. The awards are an opportunity for the Jewish community to honor those people who have contributed to the renaissance of Jewish life in Nizhny Novgorod.

On this evening, Nizhny Novgorod Jews remembered the 20-year history of the revived community. The award for the “Most Faithful Community Member” went to Semyon Zolotovitskiy, a man who, despite his advanced years, never misses prayers and serves as an example for everyone. The “Volunteer of the Year” award went to Sophia Vysotskaya for her excellent work in implementing the local Chesed Organization’s many projects. The “Patron of the Year” award was presented to Dmitry Birman, deputy of the Nizhny Novgorod City Council and poet, but most importantly, a person who achieves results.

The award for “Active Community Leader" went to Olga Shumakova, chairman of the Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Sports of the City Council, as well as a friend and partner of the local Jewish community. The “Teacher of the Year” was given to Ohr Avner Chabad Day School music teacher Svetlana Deutch.

Susanna Turayeva received the “Living Legend” award, a title that reflects the breadth of her amazing personality, strength and soul, which she has invested in the life of the Jewish autonomy of Nizhny Novgorod. Boris Sherman was honored with the nomination in the category “Restoration and Revival” for his contribution in the restoration of the building of the Novgorod Synagogue.

The “Art” award went to Andrey Yarlykov for staging the play "The King of Odessa" based on the stories of Isaac Babel. In the same category, an award was also presented to Eduard Fertelmeister, dean of the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory, for composing Jewish chamber choir music. The “Science” award honored Eduard Fiyaksel, a professor at the State University-High School of Economics (GU-VSE), who heads the only Department of Venture Management in all of Russia. He was given the award in recognition of the books he has published in this specialized field.

The most touching nomination was the “Young Family” award, which was presented to the family of Maria and Mikhail Altshuler. It was certainly fitting for such an award to be given on Chanukah, a holiday of family, of faith, and of hope in the future.