DENVER, Colo., October 31, 2024 — Beloved Denver philanthropist Stanley Kamlet will receive Jewish National Fund-USA’s Tree of Life® Award for his decades of leadership and service to the Mountain States region and his steadfast commitment to building a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel.
Stanley Kamlet, Jewish National Fund-USA Tree of Life Award® honoree
The Tree of Life® Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by Jewish National Fund-USA. It recognizes outstanding community involvement, professional leadership, dedication to the cause of American Israeli friendship, and devotion to peace and the security of human life.
The award will be presented to Kamlet at an exclusive gala chaired by Sunny & Norm Brownstein, Stephanie & Jay Kamlet, and Lee & Gene Kay on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Stanley as a young man
“Since joining Jewish National Fund-USA, Stanley has exemplified unwavering dedication to philanthropy and Zionism, channeling his passion through his commitment to building Israel’s future,” said Jewish National Fund-USA National Campaign Director Sharon Joy. “Stanley has inspired countless new donors to join our Jewish National Fund-USA family, contributing to transformative initiatives that enhance the lives of Israelis across the Negev and Galilee. Stanley’s legacy of support and vision continues to make an indelible mark on our mission. I am so proud to call Stanley a dear friend who I have collaborated with for so many years.”
A native Denverite who started working with Jewish National Fund-USA in September of ‘98, Kamlet was Jewish National Fund-USA’s inaugural director of its Mountain States region. Since opening the organization’s Denver office, Kamlet has spent decades of his life building relationships with the organization’s partners (donors) in the Mountain States communities and has played a crucial role in the organization’s rapid growth over the last 26 years.
Stanley & Gene Kay in Israel
“I have been a lifelong, sincere, and deeply involved Zionist,” said Kamlet. “When Jewish National Fund-USA’s CEO Russell F. Robinson offered me an opportunity to work for the land and people of Israel, I immediately accepted. Zionism is a fundamental part of my life, and I wanted this to be my career.”
Kamlet added, “Working day in and day out raising millions of dollars for our brothers and sisters in Israel and meeting and working with people who also share a deep love and connection to the Jewish Homeland is very gratifying.”
Stanley & Mandy Patinkin
Jewish National Fund-USA improves the quality of life in Israel for all its citizens and strengthens the Jewish future through seven key strategic areas, including one that is especially meaningful to Kamlet: the organization’s work supporting Israelis with disabilities and ensuring no member of Israeli society is left behind.
“Year after year, I’ve witnessed how Jewish National Fund-USA has helped change the lives of Israel’s most vulnerable populations in the Negev and Galilee, ensuring children and individuals with disabilities are integrated into all aspects of daily life and tightly woven into the fabric of Israeli culture,” said Kamlet.
Stanley at Jewish National Fund-USA’s first Breakfast for Israel in the Mountain States
Outside of his work with Jewish National Fund-USA, Kamlet is a loving husband to his wife of 72 years, Louan, a father to five children, a grandfather to 11 grandchildren, and a great-grandfather to 26 great-grandchildren. He also philanthropically supports other Jewish organizations including Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Community Center.
For more information or to RSVP to attend the Tree of Life® Award Gala honoring Stanley Kamlet, visit jnf.org/TreeOfLifeMS or contact Rachael Solomon, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Executive Director, Mountain States at rsolomon@jnf.org or 303.573.7095.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Milton
About Jewish National Fund-USA
Jewish National Fund-USA builds a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel through bold initiatives and Zionist education. As a leading philanthropic movement, the organization supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south as it develops new communities in the Negev and Galilee, connects the next generation to Israel, and creates infrastructure and programs that support ecology, people with disabilities, and heritage site preservation, all while running a fully accredited study abroad experience through its Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more at jnf.org.