Rhoda Sakowitz is BHC’s 2024 Shem Tov Award Recipient

Our beloved Rhoda Sakowitz is BHC’s 2024 recipient of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire’s Shem Tov award. The Shem Tov (good name) awards were created by the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire to recognize volunteers from organization across New Hampshire who have provided outstanding service to the Jewish community.

Rhoda Rubin Sakowitz is a talented artist of Judaica. Students around the country become B’Nai Mitzvah in the embrace of her hand-painted silk tallit, while couples share their wedding vows beneath her original silk chuppahs.   

Rhoda has attended Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation (BHC) for over 80 years, and has been an active and engaged volunteer there for the majority of her adult life. She grew up in her family's summer house next-door to the synagogue, where her father Barney was the longtime president and her mother Dorothy the sisterhood president. During her high school years Rhoda chose Hebrew as her foreign language. She was a thoughtful and respected member of the synagogue Board while BHC navigated the see-saw challenges of an active summer population balanced by a small but mighty year-round membership. She was a mainstay of BHC sisterhood and Synagogue events, from decorating the sanctuary in blooms from her gardens, to organizing onegs or gala entertainments. 

Also active at Temple Beth El of Sudbury, MA and later Temple Sir Tikva of Wayland, MA, Rhoda sang in the choirs, organized a chavurah, and had the joy of becoming an adult Bat Mitzvah surrounded by her children and grandchildren. An art teacher and interior decorator, Rhoda has always been able to brighten any room with stunning and friendly smiles. She is the widow of Dr. Stanley Sakowitz, mother to Nicole (Bill) and Craig (Sharon) and grandmother to Zachary, Wyatt, Talia, Elana and Ari.

profile by Nicole Sakowitz