10/22/2025
WATCH: Susan Reis Receives 2025 Irene Zehman Volunteer Award
Susan began her volunteer work in the 1980s with a group committed to reducing cigarette pollution indoors. Her volunteer work began in earnest when she stopped working for pay in the late 1990s.
With four young children and guided by the Jewish imperative that “you may not see your work completed, but you are obligated to begin,” she turned her attention to reducing gun violence. She co-chaired the Committee to Stop Gun Violence with the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland (NCJW/CLE), later becoming Vice President of Advocacy and serving for more than a decade as State Policy Advocate (SPA).
When Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), a faith-based, multiethnic grassroots coalition, came to Cleveland over 14 years ago, Susan became an early volunteer. She has since contributed to major campaigns, including helping secure Medicaid expansion in Ohio, which provided health insurance to over 800,000 residents, and passing the first Cleveland Metropolitan School District levy in 16 years.
Today, she serves as tri-chair of GCC’s Strategy Team, sits on its Management Team, and helped establish EngageGCC monthly Assemblies to share information and connect its 38 member organizations. In 2023, Susan joined the fourth cohort of Rekindle, which fosters dialogue to strengthen Black/Jewish relations. She now serves on its board as co-chair of alumni engagement.
Susan is grateful to have been married for 41 years to Barry, her biggest supporter.
The Irene Zehman Volunteer Award recognizes a woman, group of women, or a women’s organization whose efforts on behalf of the Cleveland Jewish community demonstrate the highest ideals and practices of volunteer service. This award was established in 1980 by Roslyn Z. Wolf and Judith Z. Sherman, both of blessed memory, in loving memory of their mother, Irene Zehman, who personified the attributes this award celebrates.
