2026 Dare to Understand® Awards Ceremony: Stand Tall
Time: 7:00pm, doors open at 6:30pm
Location: Congregation Beth Am Israel, 1301 Hagys Ford Rd, Penn Valley, PA 19072
Celebrating:
Abby Stamelman Hocky
Founder · Visionary · Leader
Celebrating 22 years of extraordinary leadership and service to Interfaith Philadelphia
Abby Stamelman Hocky leads with integrity, imagination, and energy. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Abby has been moved by her soft, welcoming aura, and forever changed by her empathy and deep value of the importance of understanding one another. Abby’s passion for interfaith work, which began before she created Interfaith Philadelphia, has left an irreversible mark on our region.
As Abby steps into her next chapter, join us to celebrate her remarkable contributions and honor her legacy – one of curiosity, openness, and a commitment to a just and compassionate society.
Abby once said, “We will not let the fire stop until the light shines on everyone.” On May 31st, we shine the light on her.
Featuring:
Musical performance by singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer
About the Dare to Understand® Award
Interfaith Philadelphia’s Dare to Understand® Award honors individuals, communities, and businesses of distinction that have championed the work of interfaith engagement and understanding across lines of difference.
Awardees lead their communities by example, demonstrating humility, curiosity, and respect, qualities imperative in interfaith work.
Dare to Understand Award Past Recipients
Sponsors: Thank you for your support!
Trailblazer
$25,000+
Bruce and Nancy Winn
Change-Maker
$15,000
William and Debbie Becker
Innovator
$10,000
Margaret Barry and Jeffrey Abrams
Bridge-Builder
$5,000
Jon and Rabbi Carol Harris-Shapiro
Sharon Parker
Abby Stamelman Hocky and Eric Hocky
Steven and Tamra Zebovitz
Friend
$2,500
Anonymous
Carol Avins and Rayman Solomon
Len and Ellan Bernstein
Rev. Richard Fernandez and Eloise Chevrier
Carrie Gish and Marc Rockford
David and Betsy Wice
Julie Dill Williams
Sustainer
$1,000
Al Aqsa Islamic Society
Anonymous
Dr. Tiffenia Archie
Arch Street Presbyterian Church
Richard and Eileen Bazelon
Ed Beckett
Barbra Berley-Mellits and Bart Mellits
Cecily Carel
Rev. Carolyn Cavaness
Elizabeth and David Cohen
Krista Dedrick Lai and Terry Lai
Jason and Angela Duckworth
Beth and John Dugan
Drs. Gity and Bijan Etemad
Vance and John Fernandez
Rev. Jesse and Allen Garner
Jacqui and David Griffith
Dr. Charmaine Green
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Jeff Pasek
Rabbi Richard and Barbara Hirsh
Seth Kreimer and Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer
Arlene Lauf, Ph.D and Marc Goldstein, M.D.
Ken Kolodziej and Anne Hagele
Robert and Holly Lankin
Gary and Lynn Laurino
Rabbi Jill Maderer
William and Linda Madway
Andrea and Dr. Jay Malamut
Dr. Kelly and Mathew McClure
Linda and H. Laddie Montague
Elizabeth Pincus Rubin and Bruce D. Rubin
Ashley Rivera
Dr. Moji Saberin
Ejaz Sabir
Rev. Dr. Joyce Shin and Dr. Michael David
Sookhoo Family
Rabbi David Straus and Lynne Breslau
Jonathan Shahar
Randi Siegel Harris and John Harris
Sally and Lawrence Silverman
Cynthia Stewart and George Deming
Elizabeth Weiler and James Shanahan
Questions? Need Additional Information?
For more information about this event, please contact Sara Zebovitz using the contact details found here.
