
Michelle Lichtenberg, an extraordinary Scarsdale resident with decades of dedication to Scarsdale volunteerism, will be the 2021 recipient of the community’s highest award: the Scarsdale Bowl, which has been awarded annually since 1943 to “one who has given unselfishly of time, energy, and effort to the civic welfare of the community.”
The Bowl Committee, a diverse group of 15 community volunteers, selects the recipient after reviewing many worthy candidates who are nominated annually by the community. This past Sunday evening, the 2021 Bowl Committee voted to honor Ms. Lichtenberg. Afterwards, Bowl Committee Chair Nancy Michaels and Secretary/Treasurer Abby Sroka surprised her in person with the news, to which a shocked Ms. Lichtenberg responded with characteristic modesty, “I am honored and overwhelmed.” Then she added, demonstrating her reliable sense of humor: “and a little terrified!”
Reflecting on the significance of the Bowl Award, the honoree emphasized her gratitude to the many Scarsdale volunteers she had met and worked with along the way, and who contribute to the dynamic community that is Scarsdale. She expressed her heartfelt thanks, saying that “one of the sweet things about living here is the spirit of volunteerism, and all that can be accomplished together, especially in light of the acts we have witnessed recently,” said Ms. Lichtenberg. “We have to hold on to these things, or the world gets too dark.”
“I am so proud to chair the Scarsdale Bowl Committee as we select such an outstanding honoree,” said Nancy Michaels. “Michelle is devoted to the Scarsdale community, volunteering her time and energy to numerous and varied organizations, always with her wonderful sense of humor, smile, and thoughtfulness. She is eager to bring people in, and to connect them with the issues or people that would strike a chord. Michelle hasn’t just served on multiple boards and committees in town — she pushes for change that makes for a better Scarsdale, and she gets results.”
Since the traditional celebratory dinner is not possible given the pandemic, Ms. Lichtenberg will be honored at a small private outdoor reception this spring. Assuming the current health crisis has passed, the Scarsdale Foundation Bowl Dinner will be back, bigger than ever, in 2022. On April 28, 2022 — please save that date! — we hope to gather in force to raise a glass to the spirit of volunteerism in Scarsdale by honoring not only Ms. Lichtenberg, but also 2020 Bowl recipients BK Munguia and Jon Mark, as well as spotlighting the future 2022 Bowl recipient. The entire community will be invited to come out to celebrate on that special evening! Hopefully we will have an unmasked ball!