Recent Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School graduate Maurice Korish was one of this year’s recipients of the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award, a prestigious award for extraordinary public service. Korish, who lives in Randolph, New Jersey, is the co-founder of Deliver Together, a volunteer group that was established at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to purchase and distribute groceries to the elderly and other high-risk individuals. The Jewish Link first profiled the organization in the April 23, 2020, issue (“Kushner Juniors ‘Deliver Together’”).

“We are so excited to witness the incredible work Maurice and Deliver Together have done during this pandemic,” said Rabbi Richard Kirsch, the RKYHS faculty member who nominated Korish for the award. “His kindness and compassion go way above the call of duty.”

Korish shared, “There have been dozens of people involved with the organization, and I am so grateful for their commitment to assisting others—especially in times of need.”

According to the Jefferson Awards webpage, all recipients “demonstrate unique vision, dedication and tenacity of heroic proportion and serve as inspiration for others.” Honorees are also acknowledged for achieving “measurable community impact” and for representing “outstanding acts of public service, without the expectation of recognition or compensations.”