Harold M. Halpern, Esq, Vice President and General Counsel for Calamar, was recently honored with the Nathan Benderson Community Service Award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo. Halpern received the award at their recent 2010 United Jewish Fund Campaign Community Kick-Off Dinner.  This prestigious award is given to "the person or persons whose extraordinary service and commitment to the Buffalo Jewish community exemplifies the leadership of Nathan Benderson."

Halpern's dedication and commitment to the Jewish Federation is exceptional and includes having served as Counsel, a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, a member of the Finance Committee, past Chair and Vice Chair of Planning & Allocations as well as the Campaign Cabinet for the gifts division.  Halpern conceived and co-chaired the ad hoc committee for restructuring and visioning the Buffalo Jewish Community for the future.  This committee has become the Federation Task Force on Community Planning.  Halpern is counsel at Temple Beth Zedek where he also served on many other boards and committees.  He was recognized by the American Jewish Committee in 2004 with its Community Service Award.

Halpern has been an attorney for more than 50 years where he is a member of the American Bar Association and the NY State Bar Association where he chaired it Professional Discipline Committee.  He is also a member of the Erie County Bar Association and a past member of its Judiciary and Grievance Committee, as well as a member and past president of the Niagara County Legal Aid Society.  He has been called to the Bar in both New York and Florida.

"Harold personifies and represents true service and commitment in all that he does, both personally and professionally", said Calamar President Kenneth M. Franasiak.  "His dedication to the Jewish Foundation is clearly illustrated and this esteemed award is well deserved.  We are very fortunate to have this well respected and admired man as part of Calamar's team and we are proud to celebrate and honor him".