It was “really easy” for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington to select former Rep. David Trone and his wife, June, to receive the JCRC’s highest honor, according to the organization’s CEO.
Named for the founders of JCRC, the Breslau-Goldman Award recognizes individuals who have devoted a “lifetime of service” to the Washington, D.C., area and made a “significant contribution” to at least one of the JCRC’s goals.
David and June Trone will receive the award at the JCRC’s annual gala on Oct. 29 in Rockville.
“The Trones have for decades dedicated their lives to philanthropy,” JCRC CEO Ron Halber told Washington Jewish Week.
Halber cited the former congressman’s steadfast support for Israel, efforts to combat antisemitism and large-scale fundraising for Jewish agencies. “He and June together have provided incredible amounts of seed money for Jewish institutions and other organizations, helped hospitals and other [institutions] that benefit everybody in society,” Halber said.
Trone, the founder of beverage retailer Total Wine & More, served three terms in Congress starting in 2019 as the representative of Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.
David and June Trone have “given generously” to pro-Israel causes, including AIPAC, according to JTA. The Trones also gave $1.5 million to David Trone’s alma mater, Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, to create the Hillel Endowment Fund in support of the school’s Jewish Student Association.
The two also provided the naming gift for what will become a permanent center for American University Hillel, which previously shared space with members of other faith groups.
June Trone is serving her second stint as a JCRC board member and was formerly the Maryland co-chair of the organization’s Education Program and Services Committee. She has long been engaged in Jewish causes, including serving as a board member of the Jewish Electoral Institute and previously of the Jewish Democratic Council of America.
“I feel that supporting Jewish causes is very important, especially [during] these times that we’re in,” June Trone told Washington Jewish Week. “It’s amazing to be able to do this.”
There wasn’t just one specific achievement Halber could pinpoint as the reason the Trones are deserving of the award, as they are “very Jewishly committed.”
“These are two people who just constantly give back to the Jewish community, who constantly care about the future of Jewish people and Israel,” Halber said. “Obviously, their philanthropy is well known, but what is not also known is how much time and effort and strategic advice and work they do on their own to help these organizations succeed.”
“I and [members of] the executive committee were thrilled to earnestly approve their nomination,” he added. “It was, to be honest, a rather simple choice because they exemplify the values that we at JCRC believe all should aspire to fulfill.”
Achieving a Breslau-Goldman Award is no small feat, according to Halber.
“It’s an award that’s given to someone who illustrates the highest values of leadership and values of the JCRC, and it’s a very competitive award,” he said. “The JCRC is very, very selective about our awards.”
“I feel very honored,” June Trone said, referring to her and husband receiving the award.
Past Breslau-Goldman Award recipients include former Sen. Ben Cardin, former Gov. Martin O’Malley and philanthropist Phil Margolius.
The JCRC will also recognize two individuals for community leadership and distinguished service, respectively.
JCRC vice president and longtime board member Behnam Dayanim is the 2025 recipient of the Sara and Samuel Lessans Community Leadership Award for his “deep engagement with the American Jewish community” both locally and nationally. He primarily serves Jewish institutions within Modern Orthodoxy.
The former president of Berman Hebrew Academy, Dayanim has held various leadership roles within the Orthodox Union, the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, the Beltway Va’ad and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Eva Davis, a realtor and community leader, will receive the JCRC’s Distinguished Service Award for her commitment to community, according to the JCRC’s website. The co-chair of JFGW’s Network Council, Davis has held leadership and board roles with JFGW, Edlavitch DCJCC, the Washington chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, Friends of the IDF, American Jewish World Service, Israel Bonds and GatherDC.
“This year’s awardees, including Behnam and Eva, sailed right through [JCRC’s award standards and criteria],” Halber said. “We have three terrific honorees; it’s amazing.”
In addition to recognizing the honorees, Halber said he looks forward to gathering with the DMV Jewish community in a much-needed celebration.
“People have been down in the dumps for the past two years with antisemitism and Israel,” he said. “[The gala will be] a very nice evening of joy where people can relax and celebrate. It’ll be a very uplifting moment for the Jewish community.”
