Peter Chortek Leadership Award
Do you know someone that demonstrates excellence in community service, leadership and philanthropy?
The Peter Chortek Leadership Award recognizes Jewish high school students in San Diego who are making a difference in our community by taking
tikkun olam to the next level through their innovative leadership and passion.
Zachary Patterson is a Junior at University City High School. He realized that students, the primary stakeholders in education, were missing from education’s governing body, and spent three years working with San Diego Unified School District to create the Student Advisory Board and the Student Board Member position on the San Diego Board of Education. After receiving final approval from the Board of Education, Zachary was elected the first Student Board Member, representing over 100,000 students, a position he will hold until June 30, 2021. Zachary involved thousands of students across San Diego Unified as he created a system that could represent the district’s diversity on the Student Advisory Board and participate in the election of their representative. Watch Video
Jason Wexler is a Senior year at The Grauer School. Jason created Answer to Cancer, a 12-person team of primarily Jewish students from around San Diego, to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Raising $36,000 last year, this year’s Answer to Cancer’s goal is to raise $60,000, and the team has expanded to include 21 diverse students from around the county. Inspired by the death of a friend’s dad from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Jason led his team in letter-writing and email campaigns, restaurant fundraiser nights, a raffle at a youth theater show, and a performance event with over 100 people in attendance. He is currently developing new and innovative ways to connect in light of the pandemic. Watch VideoChortek Award Links
Peter Chortek Leadership Award Flyer
Peter Chortek Leadership Award Videos
Learn more about Peter Chortek z”l.
- Applicants have organized and led an extraordinary tikkun olam project that has benefited others, their neighborhood, the community, the environment, or the world.
- Applicants have demonstrated initiative, passion and positive spirit, and have inspired others to make a difference.
- Applicants have created awareness about their issue, cause, or project.
- Applicants have a long-term vision for the growth and sustainability of their work.
- Applicants must currently be in high school, and have been involved with their project for at least one year prior to application.
Award Recipients Receive:
- $5,400 Stipend
- $540 to establish a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation
- Professional Video about your project
Competitive applicants for this award have dedicated significant time and intention to:
- Creating a new project or program to improve his/her community, or;
- Enhancing an existing project or program through innovation and community building, or;
- Inspiring large numbers of their peers to get involved in service projects or social justice programs.
About the Peter Chortek Leadership Award
Peter Chortek z”l was not religious, but fiercely proud of being Jewish. He was committed to making a difference. His passion and focus was Jewish education, believing quality Jewish education would help insure a vibrant Jewish future. For Peter it meant being supportive of venues that would influence Jewish continuity. These include: day schools, Jewish camps, Hillel, Birthright, March of the Living, Jewish Community Centers and his synagogue.
The Peter Chortek Leadership Award was created to foster Jewish communal involvement by rewarding Jewish teens who are practicing tikkun olam, repairing the world.