A Woman of Valor
Myra Farr to be Honored
A Woman of Valor, who can find?…
Let her works praise her in the gates…
— (Proverbs, Chapter 31)
70 years of dedication and leadership will be celebrated as Myra Farr is honored by the National Council of Jewish Women with its 2009 Woman of Valor Award. Myra’s long list of volunteer activities, chairmanships, board positions, and presidencies is a litany to a lifetime of service.
Myra has been active member of NCJW since 1938 when she was given a gift of membership as a new bride. She had a lifelong love affair with her husband, Aaron. Together they ran the Farr Travel Agency and traveled extensively.
When the Farrs moved to Miami, Myra became one of the original volunteers of the newly formed Greater Miami Jewish Federation and today is the second oldest active member on the board. Since 1939 she has served as GMJF treasurer, executive committee member, and Women’s Division campaign chair.
Devoting her energies to a wide variety of local and national organizations from school PTA’s to the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Myra has been an inspiration to many whose paths have crossed hers. She is on the Board of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged; has served as president of Temple Beth Sholom’s Sisterhood; was president of the board of the Douglas Gardens Miami Beach Community Mental Health Center; and has been involved in various capacities with Jewish Family Services, Brandeis Women, American Jewish Committee, United Fund of Dade County, University of Miami Women’s Guild and the Jewish Museum of Florida.
Of all of her affiliations, NCJW holds a special place in Myra’s heart. From section president, she went on to be a national board member and honorary national vice president. She was the first recipient of the Hannah G. Solomon Award by NCJW in 1966; was given the “Women Worth Knowing Award” from the Miami Beach Commission of the Status of Women in 1996; the Theta Sigma Phi Community Headliner Award; and 2007 she was presented the Presidential Citation for a Lifetime of Volunteerism.
Myra holds a special place in the hearts of generations of women whom she mentored and continues to mentor with love and respect. She continues to give her time and energy to making a difference in the world.
“Myra at age 95 is sharp as a tack and still as zippy as ever,” said longtime friend Reva Wexler. “It’s because she is genuinely interested in everyone and everything going on around her. She is surrounded by young women who adore and admire her and look up to her as their role model. A more trustworthy friend you’ll never find.”
The 2009 Woman of Valor Award will be presented to Myra on Sunday, November 22, at the NCJW luncheon being held at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. Call 305-538-4744 for more information.
