Dr. Anat Kimchi Award for Excellence in Tikkun Olam

We extend our gratitude to Chava, Avi, Itamar ‘04, and Ofer ‘12 Kimchi, the family of CESJDS alumna, Dr. Anat Kimchi ‘08 (z”l), for their generous gift to honor Anat's memory. We also thank Roz and Chuck Landy, as well as several members of the Class of 2008, for helping to establish this award. The new Dr. Anat Kimchi Award for Excellence in Tikkun Olam will be presented each year at graduation to a CESJDS alumnus or alumna who demonstrates an outstanding commitment and passion to promoting the CESJDS core value of Tikkun Olam. The recipient of this award will be someone who has served as a change agent and made a tangible impact on the community in which they work or live and has dedicated themselves to repairing the world.

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Anat was murdered in a random sidewalk attack on June 19, 2021. At the time, she was about to complete her doctorate in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland under the prestigious Flagship Fellowship, and she was awarded her Ph.D. a few weeks after her death. In Anat’s doctoral and master’s work, she studied a major and largely overlooked contributing factor to the mass incarceration of non-violent offenders: the population of individuals who entered prison after having their community supervision sentences revoked. Her quantitative analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in the severity of parole requirements for offenders of different races and ethnicities affecting the feasibility of compliance and potentially setting some parolees up to fail. Prior to her doctoral studies, Anat double-majored in Psychology and Criminology & Criminal Justice, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Maryland. In both her personal and academic endeavors, she cared deeply about making a difference in the lives of those who needed support.

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Anat was always ready to help anyone in need. In high school, she volunteered with physically and mentally disabled children, and continued with teaching students from underrepresented populations in graduate school, because she hoped that she could bring light to people who were not as fortunate as she. She is remembered by her teachers for her brilliance, intellectual curiosity, and genuine passion for learning, as well as for being social and charismatic. Anat had a warm presence that naturally made those around her comfortable and led her to develop close and diverse friendships.

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Her teachers noted that she was a “gifted thinker”, “of sharp and quick mind”, a student with a unique combination of intelligence and determination. In high school, Anat was a member of the math team and French Honor Society, established a chapter of the National Science Honor Society at CESJDS, participated in the Junior Statesmen of America, published a short story in a national magazine, and was active on Student Council. For two decades, Anat danced ballet, and as an adult was an avid CrossFit athlete.  Anat’s classmates recall her brilliance as well, and how effortless learning seemed for her, but Anat never saw herself that way. Anat was always there to help others who were struggling, finding ways to make complex topics more understandable. Her classmates remember her as humble and utterly without pretension. They all said she had a wonderful sense of humor, was social and fun-loving, and that she would do anything for a friend. 

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The Kimchi family made this gift to CESJDS in Anat’s memory to preserve her name, her love of learning, her beautiful personality, and her enthusiasm for her educational accomplishments. CESJDS is very grateful for this meaningful gift, and will forever remember Anat, through this award, and through her many blessings.

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For additional information, visit CES/JDS website

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