Philip Schattan and Cheryl Fishbein addressed a standing room only crowd at the 2011 AJC Gala Dinner. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Philip Schatten and Cheryl Fishbein were honored by the American Jewish Committee as awardees of the AJC National Human Relations Award at its annual gala October 25 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York. The two were jointly and individually recognized for their extensive charitable commitments and extraordinary leadership in the Jewish community.

As they accepted their honor – in unison – the Fishbein – Schattens praised AJC’s inter-relationship work with other ethnic groups and the work being done “for future generations,” “AJC is making a difference,” said Fishbein. Philip Shatten specifically praised the work his wife, Cheryl has done in the transformation of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, calling her “the ultimate enabler,” one who lives an “unconditional life of Jewish values.

The work of AJC, said Fishbein began at the Tower of Babel. “When people can communicate, they can work in harmony. AJC opens lines of communication, to deliver Israel’s message,” AJC, said Fishbein, “never stops trying. It is the Jewish address of diplomacy and outreach, trying to create a better world for the Jewish people.”

Cheryl is dedicated to the development of the Russian Jewish community, serving as Chairperson of AJC’s National Committee on Russian-Jewish Affairs. She will chair a committee discussing how the distinctive Russian-Jewish identity can be preserved by the “second generation.” Both Fishbein and Schatten are active supporters of the Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst,

Cheryl Fishbein is a philanthropic leader, clinical psychologist and lawyer. She serves as Chair of UJA-Federation of New York’s Caring Commission and its Family Caregivers Committee, and is involved in issues related to caring for the Jewish elderly where her work includes the study of how to help the helpers. Fishbein is on the Board of Governors of the American Jewish Committee, and is active in the JCRC.

Phil Schatten is Chief Executive Officer of the RAI Group. His involvement in the Jewish community is extensive, including participation in the boards of FJC, UJA-Federation of New York, The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Sutton Place Synagogue. He is the Vice President of the Jewish Education Society of North America (JESNA), Chairman of the Finance Committee of the JCC Association of North America, and Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst.

From Right, David Harris, Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, Honoree Cheryl Fishbein, and her father Martin Fishbein. Mr. Fishbein is a Holocaust survivor. Photo: Maxine Dovere.