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| LOUIS T. BENEZET AWARD RECIPIENT
1995 |
Max Frankel '35
Max Frankel is a special man, a committed man and a giving man. He says
his compensation for volunteer involvement is "psychic income."
With his record of devotion to others, Max must be a psychological millionaire
by now. He is well-known educator and humanitarian in the Denver community.
He has been active in youth work and makes weekly visits to various nursing
and retirement homes. at the Canon City prison, he has lead holiday services
for almost 50 years. Max has received several awards in recognition of
his outstanding volunteer commitment and service, including the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award (1992) and the Minaru Yasui community
Volunteer Award (1993).
For twenty-five years he served as the Western Advisor of the Missouri
Valley Federation of Temple Youth. In 1966, he was elected a Life Member
of the National Association of Temple Youth. He also served as a Hillel
counselor at the University of Denver. In addition, he dedicates his time
speaking to school children about his experiences as a concentration camp
liberator during World War II.
Max has been chairman of the B'nai B'rith Social Service Committee since
1946, serving the needs of the Jewish inmates in the Colorado Department
of Correction Facilities in Canon City and other locations throughout
the state. In 1990, he was honored by the Colorado Department of Corrections
as a Volunteer of the Year and in 1992 he was awarded the B'nai B'rith
Outstanding Achievement Award.
Max Frankel graduated in 1935 and celebrated his 60th Reunion this year.
After graduation, he went on to receive his law degree, was admitted to
the bar in 1939 and practiced law for a short time. During World War II,
he served with distinction in the Army and was awarded the Bronze Star
and the Presidential Citation Medal. He was with the troops that helped
liberate Buchenwald.
When he returned to civilian life, he joined the faculty of Temple Emanuel
Religious School, becoming Educational Director and since 1984, the Education
Director Emeritus. He is chairman of the AIFL Education Committee, which
works with the Denver Public School Ambassador Exchange Program. That
program hosts 11th graders in Denver and sends Denver 11th graders to
Israel. He is on the Speakers Bureau for the Center for Judaic Studies
at Denver University, where he addresses school and church groups.
He is co-author of the book I Live in Israel and has written
numerous articles for educational publications
Many owe a debt of gratitude to Max Frankel. His extraordinary contributions,
his compassion, commitment and devotion to learning embody the values
of this award.
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