Rabbi Alan and Anna Alpert, this year’s recipients of the Patricia B. Johnson Award*, have been pillars of the Muskegon community since their arrival in 1976. Though they came as strangers, their quiet strength and deep compassion quickly earned them the trust of those around them. Known for their resilience and commitment to justice, the Alperts have worked tirelessly to foster fellowship, understanding, and education throughout the region.

Rabbi Alan, a Rotary member for over 40 years, was instrumental in founding the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Muskegon Community College and has played an active role in the Jewish-Christian Dialogue through Grand Valley State University’s Sylvia Kaufman Institute. Together, the Alperts have continually sought to “give something back to this community,” a goal they’ve fulfilled many times over.

In memory of their daughter, Giliana Shira, they established a fund in her name that supports nonprofit organizations across the country, all dedicated to promoting education, inclusion, and equality. Their enduring impact continues to magnify the values of tolerance and justice in Muskegon and beyond.

*Established in 1999, the Patricia B. Johnson Award is a testament to the legacy of Pat Johnson, the former 19-year president of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Revered for visionary leadership and unwavering support, she was a devoted community advocate. Award recipients are recognized on an engraved plaque and receive a $5,000 grant to be donated to a charitable cause of their choice.