The Ben Minkoff Award for Volunteer Service is given occasionally to special members of our community who have over an extended period, given special gifts of time, talent and treasure. This award was named in memory of Past President, Ben Minkoff, the founder of Camp Shalom. The award was presented by Livia Asher, the previous recipient, to Dr. Jon Eckhardt.

Jon is a Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Distinguished Professor and editor at the Entrepreneur and Innovation Exchange. He and his wife Lee came to Madison fifteen years ago and became active in the Federation after having contacted the executive director of Jewish Federation of Madison at that time to learn about the Jewish community of Madison. Prior to working in academia, Professor Jon Eckhardt served in the US Army, was a bond analyst at Legg Mason, and worked in consulting.

Jon has shared his talent for business and financial analysis with the Jewish Federation of Madison. He always provides insightful, caring support to our overall mission.

Jon is a loving husband, fantastic father and trusted friend. His wife, Dr. Lee Eckhardt describes Jon as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people she knows, and we would agree. Jon is an avid cyclist and lover of the outdoors. He is a talented teacher and researcher who is truly interested in helping nurture his students’ desires to try new entrepreneurial ideas. Over the years he has spent countless hours doing one of the most important and thankless volunteer jobs, managing the Federation budgets. As chair of our budget and planning committee, he has tried to see that we have carefully used our Federation dollars to best serve our community and our people.

The entire Madison Jewish community is grateful to Jon for all that he has done in the past and all he will continue to do in the future. Jon joins a distinguished list of past Ben Minkoff award recipients. See full list >