TAMPA, Fla. – Jonathan Ellis, an attorney at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, a full-service business law firm with offices in Tampa and Sarasota, was recognized for his advocacy work for Israel and presented with the PRIMER Advocacy Award.
The PRIMER (Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting) Award brunch was held Feb. 19. Ellis accepted the award at the eighth annual event, which was sponsored by the Greater Tampa Bay B’nai B’rith Unit 2603, the Jewish Federation of Pinellas and Pasco Counties and the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation.
“It was a pleasure to honor Jonathan with the PRIMER award,” said Stuart Berger, last year’s award recipient and a development director at the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation. “The award is a homage and dedication to the memory of Dr. Norman Gross. Today more than ever, vigilance is important, and no one in the Tampa Bay area embodies the PRIMER motto better than Jonathan.”
Established in 1992, PRIMER was founded by Dr. Gross and others to counter anti-Jewish and anti-Israel messages in the media. In August 2009, PRIMER became inactive but created the Dr. Norman Gross “PRIMER” Advocacy Award through the Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Foundation. The award acknowledges individuals in Tampa Bay who best embody the PRIMER motto of “silence is not golden” when dealing with Israel and anti-Jewish bias.
Ellis serves in a number of roles in the Jewish community, including as the past president of the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation and the current chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council, an organization that combats anti- Semitism, advocates for Israel and for other local, state and national Jewish issues within the general community. He also serves on the executive committee and is treasurer of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs and on the board of trustees for Hillel Academy’s. He is a past president of Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon and currently serves as chair of its finance committee.
Other past award recipients include Dr. Gross, Herb Swarzman, Eric Steckler, Steve Schwersky, The Hillel Jewish Student Center at the University of South Florida and Berger.
Ellis also recently received the prestigious Tikkun Olam Award from the Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Federation, a nonprofit with a mission to support and enrich the continuity of Jewish life and values in the Tampa community, in Israel and worldwide. Ellis accepted the honor on Jan. 29 during the nonprofit’s Annual President's Dinner to celebrate the Jewish community, its growth and successes.
As an attorney, Ellis handles matters in condominium law, homeowners association law, construction claims, contract disputes, corporate control issues, creditors' rights, derivative actions, employment agreements (including non-compete issues), foreclosure, franchise law, fraud, injunctions, mediation, securities and UCC disputes.
About Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 250 lawyers and five offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C. Shumaker is a premier provider of quality legal services. Whether it's commitment to clients or work in the community, involvement lies at the core of all of Shumaker’s initiatives.