Joy Hoffman ~ Young Leadership Award 2012
Joy Hoffman was born and raised in Philadelphia, in the Elkins Park area. Her parents, Geri and Allen Richmond raised her with a love for Judaism that would make a permanent impression and last into the next generation.
Joy celebrated her bat mitzvah both at Beth Shalom and on Masada in Israel. She continued her journey into Judaism making fond summer memories at Camp Ramah, travelling the USA on a USY on Wheels tour and by attending Gratz College during high school.
Joy graduated from The George Washington University and then moved back to Philadelphia to receive her masters in speech-language pathology from Temple University.
While living in Center City, Joy heard Nili Couzens speak and was so moved by the wisdom Judaism had to offer, she organized a series of classes downtown and invited her then-single friends to learn "The 48 Ways to WISDOM" with Nili.
After leaving Philadelphia for three years for her husband’s Plastic Surgery Fellowship, Joy and Ryan finally moved back to Philadelphia to reside in the Mainline Area.
After becoming a parent herself, Joy was excited to galvanize her friends and continue learning with Nili. She organized the first Parenting Series in 2011 and brought dozens of young mothers together to learn the Jewish wisdom of raising the next generation in today’s challenging times. The classes were packed and due to high demand, a second Parenting Series was immediately launched, again organized by Joy.
Joy said she wanted to introduce Nili to her group of friends because, “I knew how much Nili had to offer. She inspires many women to not only be a positive role model to their children, but also shine in a positive light as a woman, mother, wife and friend.”
Joy is the recipient of the Young Leadership Award 2012 because she saw a need in her community and did not wait for someone else to rise to the occasion; she rose to the occasion herself. Joy exemplifies the responsibility and action required of the next generation to help lead the Jewish People in the right direction.
Joy is grateful and humbled to be receiving the Young Leadership Award at Supper Under the Stars 2012 and we look forward to sharing an unforgettable night together!