Event photos

Five Immigrants Honored at 2007 MOSAIC Awards

(May 2007) Louisville, KY --- On May 15 Jewish Family & Vocational Service honored five new or first generation immigrants and refugees at the second annual MOSAIC Awards – A Salute to New Americans. The following honorees were chosen for making a significant contribution in their professional field and in the community: Timir Banerjee, MD, Vincenzo Gabriele, Claudia Peralta-Mudd, Mariusz Z. Ratajczak, MD, PhD, DSci and Wei-Bin Zeng, PhD. The reception and dinner event was held at The Galt House in the Archibald Ballroom.

2007 MOSAIC Award Winners

Timir Banerjee, M.D.	Claudia Peralta- Mudd, MSSW	Mariusz Z. Ratajczak, M.D., Ph.D, D.Sci	Vincenzo Gabriele	Wei-Bin Zeng, Ph.D

Timir Banerjee, MD – India
Retired Neurosurgeon; Founder of Society for the Prevention of Aggressiveness  & Violence among Adolescents (SPAVA), a nonprofit organization teaching youth a nonviolent approach to life; funds numerous trusts for scholarships, medical purposes and other philanthropic endeavors.
Learn more about SPAVA

Claudia Peralta-Mudd – Argentina
Expert in the field of Language Access for Metro Louisville; President, World Communities of Louisville; first president of the Hispanic/Latino Coalition of Louisville; former executive producer of Amigos en Louisville; co-founder of Kentucky Translators and Interpreters Association; 25 Most Influential Latinos in Louisville

Mariusz Z. Ratajczak, MD, PhD, DSci – Poland
Professor of Medicine and Director of Stem Cell Biology Program, University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center; has identified a type of stem cell in adult bone marrow that has the same structure and protein markers as embryonic stem cells; the discovery has the potential to treat numerous conditions and disabilities

The Roads to You orchestra and Louisville youth musicians gave a special performance during this year's MOSAIC Awards.

Vincenzo Gabriele – Italy
Established Vincenzo’s in 1986; internationally recognized in the hospitality industry; current and past boards of directors of The Louisville Orchestra, The Rotary Club & Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau; community  service for many nonprofit organizations; mentor to many chefs and restaurateurs

Wei-Bin Zeng, PhD – China
Mathematics Professor, University of Louisville; provides educational and cultural programs as a board member and volunteer with the Crane House and is its director of international exchanges; instrumental in developing business and trade relations between Kentucky and China; co-chair of the Jiujiang Sister City committee

The honorees received the MOSAIC Award - an artistic representation of Multicultural Opportunities for Success and Achievement In our Community. “JFVS strongly values the benefits that multiculturalism brings to a community,” commented Judy Freundlich-Tiell, Executive Director.  “Since 1908, JFVS has provided resettlement, employment and acculturation services to people from many cultures.  Our honorees bring their individual cultural heritage to Louisville and make our community a richer and more interesting place, creating a mosaic of many colors and perspectives.” 

Scholarships Awarded
A new edition to the MOSAIC Awards this year was a scholarship program. Two scholarships were given the night of the event, one to Victor Munderere and the other to Lixandra Ramos. Victor received a $3,000 scholarship from Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare to pursue a health care career at JCTC. Lixandra received a $3,000 scholarship from an anonymous donor for extensive english classes at the University of Louisville.

Lixandra shown accepting scholarship.	Victor speaks after receiving scholarship.

For more information about the honorees or becoming involved with the MOSAIC Awards, contact Beverly Bromley at 452-6341. Proceeds from the MOSAIC Awards benefit JFVS. 

Multicultural Services and Programs at JFVS