Help us honor
Fred and Susie Gruber
recipients of the
Samuel A. Wolfson Community Leadership Award
Tributes placed after March 3rd will be included in a Keepsake Book for
Fred and Susie but will not be printed in the Or Ami One Program Book.
Congregation Or Ami will honor Fred and Susie Gruber with our second annual Samuel A. Wolfson Community Leadership Award at our Or Ami One event on March 25, 2017. Fred and Susie are inspired community leaders, working diligently in their personal and professional lives to build a better tomorrow. In Congregation Or Ami they found a kehillah kedoshah (holy community) to embrace and be embraced, ensuring a second home from which to engage in tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Fred Gruber is a mortgage professional with First Rate Financial Group, assisting individuals to obtain financing related to home ownership. Helping people make one of the most significant financial decisions brings him a great deal of satisfaction. As Vice President and Finance Committee member of Congregation Or Ami, Fred brings that same commitment to helping others with his calm business assessment and insightful data analysis. His penetrating wisdom has helped harness Or Ami’s continued growth and financial strength. In the larger community, Fred’s commitment to deepening relationships led him to serve in a number of positions and organizations. Fred serves as Co-Chair of Jewish Federation’s Conejo Chapter of Jewish Business Leaders Roundtable, founding board member of JNET, a 501(c)6, where Fred also served as Treasurer from 2009 to 2015, and current member of the Finance Committee. JNET is a Jewish business networking group that promotes commerce within the Jewish Community. He participates in Or Ami’s Business Roundtable and Men’s Night Out.
Susie Gruber has been a Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County for 34 years. While prosecuting criminals and advocating for victims of crime, she remains deeply committed to keeping our county safe and protected from violence in the pursuit of justice. Susie brings that passion for tzedek (fairness) and henaynu (being there for each other) to her volunteer work as Or Ami’s Financial Variance chair. Quietly, compassionately, Susie ensures that regardless of economics every individual or family who wants to be part of this vibrant Jewish community is welcomed. So many children have experienced deep Jewish education and become B'nai Mitzvah because of Susie’s behind-the-scenes efforts. Susie’s dedication to Talmud Torah (Jewish education) is also personal: she has embarked on a two-year commitment, studying to become a Bat Mitzvah, an opportunity she did not have as a 13 year old.
Fred and Susie are active members of Jewish Federation and AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). They enthusiastically engaged in gemilut chasadim (acts of lovingkindness) through the many social action activities from Holiday Childspree for at-risk youth, to Mitzvah Day for Foster Children, to Or Ami’s “Buy a Truck to End Hunger” project.
As Fred and Susie like to say: “Whether through our contributions of time, our financial support, or by sharing our professional knowledge with Congregation Or Ami, we take great pride in helping further the goals and vision of our second home. This amazing community provides us the opportunity to participate and give back.”
Married for 33 years, they are dedicated to mishpacha (family) as parents of two amazing children, Adam (age 26) and Tori (age 23).
CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR TRIBUTETributes placed after March 3rd will be included in a Keepsake Book for Fred and Susie but will not be printed in the Or Ami One Program Book.