Left to right: Gary Mendell of HEI Hotels & Resorts; Jim Abrahamson of Interstate Hotels & Resorts; Michael A. Leven of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; and Jonathan M. Tisch of Loews Hotels — Photo by Chloe Apple Seldman/Michael Priest Photography

Hundreds of professionals from the hotel and hospitality industry gathered to honor Jim Abrahamson, chief executive officer of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, at UJA-Federation of New York's Hospitality Division Cocktail Reception, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013,at the Marriott Marquis, in Manhattan.

Among those honoring Abrahamson for his philanthropic and professional achievements were UJA-Federation's Hospitality Honorary Chair Jonathan M. Tisch of Loews Hotels and Event Chairs Jonathan Falik of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Hotels, Mark Gordon of Tribeca Associates, Steven Kamali of Steven Kamali Hospitality, David Kuperberg, Gary Mendell of HEI Hotels & Resorts, David Pepper of Choice Hotels International, and Stacy Silver of Silver Hospitality Group LLC.

Among those sitting on this year's honorary committee were Art Adler of Jones Lang LaSalle, Richard Born of BD Hotels, Thomas J. Corcoran Jr. of FelCor Lodging Trust, Mark Hoplamazian of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Stephen P. Joyce of Choice Hotels International, Michael A. Leven of Las Vegas Sands Corp., Morris Moinian of Fortuna Realty Group, Leland Pillsbury of Thayer Lodging Group, Trudy Rautio of Carlson, and Simon Ziff of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group.

Past honorees include Stephen Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International, Eric Danziger, president and chief executive officer of Wyndham Hotel Group, Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriot International, and Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer of Hilton Worldwide.

Funds raised will go to UJA-Federation's annual campaign to sustain the activities of nearly 100 health, human-service, educational, and community-building agencies in New York, in Israel, and around the world.

About UJA-Federation of New York

For nearly 100 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our

community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world"s largest local philanthropy; our reach extends from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.

Shari Harel
Public Relations and Events Specialist
212.836.1884
UJA-Federation of New York