TWO JF&CS BOARD MEMBERS ARE HONORED WITH THE
2007 DR. HOWARD A. MERMELSTEIN LEADERSHIP AWARD

PITTSBURGH, PA—June 27, 2007— Each year a Jewish Family & Children's Service board member who exhibits the highest level of commitment for the mission and philosophy of JF&CS is awarded the Dr. Howard A. Mermelstein Leadership Award. For only the second time in the history of this award, two JF&CS board members received the honor – Carolyn Weisberger Mendelson and Louis Plung.

At the JF&CS 70th Annual Meeting on May 30, 2007 Ms. Mendelson and Mr. Plung were presented with their awards by the late Dr. Mermelstein's three children who each spoke of their father's passion for JF&CS.

"Dad's life centered around family and children, his patients and their parents, his community and, of course, his own family. And his devotion and love for Jewish Family & Children's Service continues through this award," said Margie Dubner, eldest daughter of the late Dr. Mermelstein.

Ms. Mendelson is currently a vice president of the JF&CS Board of Directors and is immediate past assistant treasurer. She is a lawyer and currently serves as counsel to the Pennsylvania Securities Commission in the Enforcement, Compliance & Litigation Division. Carolyn is an instructor of business law for the Katz School of Business's Executive MBA, MBA Essentials, and MBA programs and Pitt's College of Business Administration.  She is a former director of the Pittsburgh Stock & Bond Association and trustee of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Mr. Plung is currently vice president of JF&CS Board of Directors, the Chair of both the planning and community building committees for the UJF, serves as treasurer of both Community Day and Riverview Towers, on the board of the Jewish Chronicle and as the National Treasurer of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Previously, he has served as Chair of the UJF Planning Commission for Aging and Human Needs, and served as a Board member at both the local and National levels for CCFA and had been the President and Chair of the Pittsburgh chapter. Lou is managing partner of Louis Plung & Associates.

For more information regarding this release, please contact 
Laurie Gottlieb 
412-586-3738 (office)
lgottlieb@jfcspgh.org

ABOUT JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE
Jewish Family & Children's Service, founded in 1937, operates on the principle that strong individuals and families create healthy communities. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families through psychological, employment and social services that help individuals and families meet life's challenges, and empower them to improve their lives. The Holocaust Survivors Program is a special program of JF&CS's Older Adult Services department. Services include assessment; care planning, coordination and management; counseling; money management; caregiver referral; shopping and escort service; and home safety improvements such as grab bars for bathrooms.