• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

American Jewish Committee honors Tom and Sherry Koski

The National Human Relations Award Dinner was held March 31 at Michael's On East.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 8:30 p.m. March 31, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The American Jewish Committee West Coast Florida honored two local philanthropists March 31 at Michael's On East. 

The National Human Relations Award Dinner recognized Tom and Sherry Koski for their support of these arts, education and social programs, as well as human rights. Sherry works with The Pines of Sarasota and Tom is on the board of The Education Foundation of Sarasota County and Sarasota Orchestra. They also support many other nonprofits in town, including the Ringling College of Art & Design, Goodwill and Sarasota Museum of Art. 

A cocktail hour stared the evening, with the first course following soon after. AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton took the microphone first to welcome guests to the evening. Then, AJC Regional President Anne Virag introduced the guest speaker, Seffi Kogen. Kogen is the AJC Global Director of Young Leadership. 

After dinner. and dessert, a tribute was given to the Koskis and they were presented with their award. The two followed with a thank you speech to end the evening. 

AJC Regional President Anne Virag, Guest Speaker Seffi Kogen and AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton
AJC Regional President Anne Virag, Guest Speaker Seffi Kogen and AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton
Beverly Koski, Isbel Norton and Co-Chairwoman Lois Stulberg
Beverly Koski, Isbel Norton and Co-Chairwoman Lois Stulberg
Co-Chairs Debbie and Larry Haspel
Co-Chairs Debbie and Larry Haspel
Honorees Sherry and Tom Koski
Honorees Sherry and Tom Koski
Co-Chairs Pat and Larry Thompson
Co-Chairs Pat and Larry Thompson
AJC Regional President Anne Virag and AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton
AJC Regional President Anne Virag and AJC Regional Director Brian Lipton
The Koskis were presented with the 2019 National Human Relations Award.
The Koskis were presented with the 2019 National Human Relations Award.
The evening was hosted at Michael's On East.
The evening was hosted at Michael's On East.
The decor was a soft blue and white.
The decor was a soft blue and white.
AJC awards a local philanthropist each year with the National Human Relations Dinner.
AJC awards a local philanthropist each year with the National Human Relations Dinner.
The front was decorated in florals.
The front was decorated in florals.
Jospeh Gianguzzo and David Lipton
Jospeh Gianguzzo and David Lipton
Jospeh Gianguzzo and Brian Lipton
Jospeh Gianguzzo and Brian Lipton
Larry Wickless and Carole Crosby
Larry Wickless and Carole Crosby
Jo Rustein with Stuart and Carolyn Burstein
Jo Rustein with Stuart and Carolyn Burstein
Susan Halpern and Shari Paler
Susan Halpern and Shari Paler
Barbara Smith-Soroca and Barbara Brizdle
Barbara Smith-Soroca and Barbara Brizdle
Kraig and Gloria Koach
Kraig and Gloria Koach
Peter and Judi Wasserman
Peter and Judi Wasserman
Bart and Joan Levenson
Bart and Joan Levenson
Kristin Fulkerson and Carolyn Michel
Kristin Fulkerson and Carolyn Michel
David Green and David Bavar
David Green and David Bavar
Michael and Terri Klauber with Sherry and Tom Koski
Michael and Terri Klauber with Sherry and Tom Koski
Irna Bulmenthal and Judy Feldman
Irna Bulmenthal and Judy Feldman
Herb Hurwitz and Judy Feldman
Herb Hurwitz and Judy Feldman
Andria Piekarz and Barcy Gralier
Andria Piekarz and Barcy Gralier
Dan Raker and William Johnson
Dan Raker and William Johnson
Bob and Bev Bartner with Joel Morganroth
Bob and Bev Bartner with Joel Morganroth

 

Latest News

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
SPARCC Holiday Luncheon co-chairs Melissa Silva, Tina McGovern and Cator Hartley
  • December 11, 2025
SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
Celia Young, Pat Reinhart, Ina Goldberg and Sherry Wheeler channel their inner flapper style for the Great Gatsby-inspired Poinsettia Luncheon.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon
Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now