The Insider: Michael Ainslie honored with the 2022 John C. Randolph Award

Together again, at last.

After two years of COVID-forced separation, the members and friends of the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews gathered for the organization's annual Fellowship Dinner.

The event took place May 4 at The Breakers.

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Sylvia James and Debora Weinstein served as co-chairwomen of the evening, which was themed ''Building Bridges by Breaking Bread, Together.''

Fellowship Chairman John ''Skip'' Randolph opened the evening with welcoming remarks, referencing the event's theme.

"You can and do make a difference, one step at a time, one person at a time, one act of kindness at a time,” Randolph said, adding “little by little we can make inroads into the divisiveness that exists in today’s world.”

The dinner's highlight was the recognition of Palm Beach philanthropist and community leader Michael Ainslie with the 2022 John C. Randolph Award.

The award was established in 2004 to honor a person or organization in the community who exemplifies the mission of the fellowship.

Fellowship Vice Chairwoman Maggie Zeidman presented the award to Ainslie, with his wife, Suzanne, by his side.

Zeidman cited Ainslie's leadership in getting the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center built, and noted that it is the first time that a Jewish name appears on a public Palm Beach building.

“Michael’s life is, by example, a confirmation of what it means to do good in the world,” Zeidman said. “There is much to be admired in the character of a person who so willingly extends his hand to others, who sees the potential in others and sets out to foster that potential.”

The dinner also featured guest speaker Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and president and chair of The Eisenhower Group, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting company.

Eisenhower offered personal glimpses into her grandfather’s life as a five-star general during World War II and as president. She spoke about what he stood for and how he conducted himself.

After Germany surrendered, President Eisenhower issued an order that he wanted the events of the Holocaust documented “because 50 years from now people won’t believe this happened. After World War II, he sought unity and purpose as his number one goal and the pursuit of peace,” she said.

More than 185 people attended.

Proceeds from the evening will assist the Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews in its mission to promote fellowship, understanding and respect among all religions and cultures through education, dialogue and interaction.

The organization will mark its 30th anniversary during the 2022-23 season.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach event featured presidential granddaughter Susan Eisenhower