The luncheon, which honored the community’s Lions of Judah, was the culmination of a successful community-wide campaign involving the corporate and business community, the children of many of the area synagogue’s religious schools, sisterhoods, and individual donations.

Michael Fromm, chairman of the board of the American Friends of Meir Panim, represented the organization. Michael stumbled upon Meir Panim in Jerusalem five years ago when he was leading a mission to Israel and brought 15 people to work at the then-fledgling organization. “I fell in love with their philosophy,” he said of Meir Panim. “The dignity of the people they serve is of equal importance to the tangible benefits they provide.”