About the Honorees

Jen and Danielle Sheppard joined Temple Akiba when their son Isaac began attending the ECC over five years ago. Their daughter, Ramey, followed in Isaac’s footsteps and is a current ECC student. The Sheppards felt an instant connection to the congregation and Jen was nominated to the Temple Akiba Board as the ECC Trustee in 2018. Jen has served on the Security Committee and provided the Temple with their walkie talkies since 2015. Danielle has been deeply involved in the growth of the ECC, sharing her family's positive experience with Akiba’s “incredible teachers” by referring endless friends and acquaintances to the ECC and Summer Day Camp. The Sheppards are incredibly honored to be recognized at this year’s Gala.

Dedicated to nurturing Jewish life and culture within her community, Sue Urfrig is a former President of Hadassah Southern California and current docent at the Skirball Cultural Center (a position she’s held since 1995). She has been a major supporter of Temple Akiba - including her generous contributions to the Campaign of Light and her funding of the Sue and Jerry Urfrig Family Memorial Room - throughout her 46 years of membership. During that time, Sue has also served on Temple Akiba’s Board in multiple positions and taught the Holiday Workshop for seventeen years. She is the proud mother of Julianne and Stuart, who grew up at Temple Akiba, and the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. Sue is delighted to be honored at this year’s Gala.