Maccabee2024
5th ANNUAL AWARD
Meet our 2024 Maccabees
Here are the inspiring nomination stories for each winner
Sherry Frank
Sherry is a gem! She’s a connector, cheerleader, activist, doer, and more. Making change and tikkun olam are in her blood. She’s been retired for 25 years but still goes 100 miles a minute as a volunteer. She’s a leader in Black/Jewish relations and a women’s rights supporter. She builds up young leaders in the community to ensure the next generation is ready to take over. Personally, she’s my hero and my son’s adopt-a-grandma. We love hearing her Atlanta civil rights stories and my son loves when she comes to read him stories. She’s a Maccabee and we’re lucky to have her in Atlanta!
Tracey Grant
Inspiring. Caring. Leading. Selfless. The dictionary is no match for adjectives used to describe how Tracey’s spirit shines brightly to uplift those around her. Every Tuesday morning, Tracey’s home is filled with 20+ women learning Torah and from each other to enhance Jewish connection and traditions among the group and later in everyone’s respective families. The invite list is constantly expanding and reflects Tracey’s welcoming spirit of inclusiveness regardless of past involvement or background. As a past president of the Jewish Women’s Connection of Atlanta, Tuesday mornings are only a window into Tracey’s history of connecting Jewish women in Atlanta to their shared history through trips to Israel and programs back home. Tracey also participates in the One Good Deed program through JF&CS bringing compassionate companionship to older adults in our community and is the current co-chair of the Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Tracey leads by example and never seeks the limelight. And if you’ve been lucky enough to meet Tracey in the past, chances are pretty high you had a smile on your face that day.
Susan Heidt
After more than a 25-year friendship, I’ve seen firsthand so many wonderful qualities in my dear friend Susan. I am in AWE of all that she has done and continues to do for our Jewish community and beyond. It started back at the JCC & GHA. Now her focus is volunteering for her synagogue, Backpack Buddies, The Sandwich Project, Breast Cancer Awareness, JWFA, and simply doing Mitzvah after Mitzvah whether that is helping a friend that was running for an important political office, pinch hitting for a friend in need w/her business, opening her home to an entire family (& their pets too!) that were displaced from the recent hurricanes, being the 1st to help w/Shivas, & Simchas & so much more! She is a constant regarding her family/friends by hosting most holidays and being the glue for both family & friends. In my book, Susan Heidt is a Maccabee, and I am immensely proud of all that she does and how meaningful volunteering and making a difference is for her. In my heart, I see her not slowing down but instead doing more now than ever before as she has found another purpose in life, making our world a better place. I am so proud of Susan!
Keri Kaufman
Keri is a wonderful travel agent, an incredible mom, and a devoted wife. She has a genuine love for our community and has been leading Jewish Moms of Atlanta and additional social media groups, generously giving her time and energy to support those in need. Many moms have shared that their lives, friendships, and family relationships have been transformed because of the community she built years ago. It has truly been an adventure volunteering with her. She thinks quickly and is very diplomatic. Keri stepped in to provide critical assistance during the 800+ Hadassah/JWC Great Challah Bake partnership, created a member spotlight, and assisted with a powerful event that brought Kay Wilson here, educating people of all ages and backgrounds. She consistently goes above and beyond to help so many people she doesn’t even know. I have had the privilege of witnessing her tireless efforts behind the scenes in countless ways. Keri is a true Maccabee.
Esther Panitch, GA State Rep
Honorable Mention
One of the bravest women in GA. She never wavered in fighting for the antisemitism bill in the GA State House. She spoke out when so many of us were hiding and too scared to pop up our heads. What an example of a brave warrior!
Inaugural Rising Maccabee
Our selection committee was so impressed by the nominations of several young community members for their acts of service and leadership that we created a new category: Rising Maccabees. Starting in 2025, we will accept nominations for this new age group to recognize Jewish young women aged 18 and younger, celebrating and inspiring the next generation of Maccabees. We are proud to give special recognition to our inaugural Rising Maccabee.
Shira Preis
Inaugural Rising Maccabee
I’m nominating Shira Preis as a 2024 Macabee because of her dedication to her community. I hope when I become an older teen I can be as giving as my big cousin, Shira. She uplifts the people around her by working at Camp Dream Street every summer, at a weeklong, overnight camp for kids with disabilities. Recently, she worked as a counselor with an 8-year-old girl who lives with limited mobility and speech and hearing impairments. At first, the camper was extremely nervous and shy; but with Shira’s help, this girl gained confidence, created friendships, and made happy memories. Another way Shira helps her community is with her work on the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Board of Education Student Advisory Council. She believes APS schools need to provide digital media literacy lessons for teens since they use the internet and social media frequently. By strengthening digital media skills, Shira hopes it can lessen biases and stereotypes and connect, rather than separate, teens in Atlanta. In addition, through her work as an IB mentor at elementary schools, she noticed kids’ lack of computer knowledge due to Covid’s impact– Shira will advocate for prioritizing digital literacy with her work on the board. Shira is the type of woman I want to be when I grow up.